Greater Govanhill Issue 18: All Things Digital

Issue 18

May-July 2025

THE STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU

FREE

GRATU

IT • ÜC RE GRATIS • TSIZ • ZA DA RMO BESPL ATNO • •

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ALL THINGS DIGITAL

INCLUDING: Smile, you’re on camera! • Meet some of the Southside’s influencers • The power of online activism • Three generations reflect on AI • Govanhill is a home, not a headline • Street icons • Roma Men’s Group bring a TikTok trend to life • Tackling advertising pollution in our neighbourhood • Digital inclusion is a human right • Stories of Allison Street • Welsh cakes recipe • All the latest news and events… and much more

Featuring: čeština, Romanian

PHOTOGRAPHY • PRODUCTION • PARTICIPATION

DEPTH OF FIELD GLASGOW PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP 1987-89 AT STREET LEVEL PHOTOWORKS, GLASGOW UNTIL 29TH JUNE GLASWEGIANS CRANHILL ARTS | ALISTAIR McCALLUM | JANE CARROLL | GERRY D’AMBROSIO MANDY EDWARDS | MALCOLM R HILL | KEITH INGHAM AT STREET LEVEL PHOTOWORKS, GLASGOW 12TH JULY - 5TH OCTOBER ALAN DONALDSON - JAZZ PROJECT AT TRONGATE 103, GLASGOW 1ST - 29TH JUNE SIMON MURPHY - GOVANHILL IN ASSOCIATION WITH ARTLINK, IRELAND AT REGIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE, LETTERKENNY 28TH JUNE - 30TH AUGUST FONDS - STORIES OF PEOPLE THROUGH OBJECTS THEY LOVE IN COLLABORATION WITH GREATER GOVANHILL MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHY: MORWENNA KEARSLEY | PODCASTS: FLORA ZAJICEK | VIDEO: SAM GONÇALVES AT DUNOON BURGH HALL 5TH JULY - 30TH AUGUST

EXHIBITIONS • PRODUCTION FACILITIES • C OURSES • C OMMUNIT Y C OLLABORATIONS Street Level Photoworks, Trongate 103 Glasgow G1 5HD 0141 552 2151 / www.streetlevelphotoworks.org / reception@streetlevelphotoworks.org Image: Clyde Ripple (1980s) © Stewart Shaw

Letter from the Team

Featured Contributors

Dear Readers,

I feel a little bit like a broken record – “it was only a matter of time before we covered X topic” – but it’s true! The digital world has been one, like many past magazine themes, affecting us at an accelerating rate. The topic had been floating around for a while so when it was suggested for this issue, we concluded issue 18 would be – All Things Digital – natch.

While the topic was locked in, it was also decided that one person, the founder of Greater Govanhill, Rhiannon, was going to be taking a step back. Not moving on entirely, but beginning to divide her time between Greater Govanhill and an exciting new venture, Greater Community Media, which aims to help other communities build their own media project. This meant that I would be taking the reins on this issue in a way I hadn’t quite before. It’s been busy as it has been rewarding.

In the spirit of resisting the noise of the digital age, we’ve stayed true to our roots: slowing down, stepping away from sensationalised headlines, and making space for thoughtful, intentional storytelling. In a media landscape where print is increasingly rare, its ability to cut through still matters – and this issue is proof of that.

It’s been a pleasure to work alongside contributors, old and new, to create an issue that speaks to the lives of our readers in both direct and subtle ways. Most importantly, you’ll find stories that grant you a window into people’s experiences that aren’t readily platformed in the mainstream media.

There’s plenty we couldn’t squeeze into print, so do keep an eye on our website. But what you’ll find in these pages is rich with authenticity, relevance and care – everything Greater Govanhill stands for. From diving into the harms of surveillance, to multi-generational reflections on AI, and a personal exploration of the impact of advertising on our environment. There’s also a look at how our local community is portrayed online.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have.

With warmth,

Samar Editor

A special thanks goes to our advertisers: My Academic Family, Arkbound, Give Blood Scotland, The Wise Group, Street Level Photoworks, RESET: Communities for Refugees, Queens Park Neighbourhoods Want to advertise in our next issue?

Email advertising@greatergovanhill.com

In a time of polarisation and division, we believe community media has the power to bring people back together. Want to support us? Become a member here: community.greatergovanhill.com/join

Stacey Anderson

I’ve lived in the Southside for nearly two years and love it here. I work in archive services, helping make the past more visible and accessible. I used to write in my spare time at university and have recently been trying to get back into the habit!

Read her article about Allison Street on page 15

Jillian Mendoza

I’m a 2023 graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, my style draws on everyday life, other art forms and shared human experiences.

I’ve collaborated with communities and organisations across the city, believing illustration is a powerful tool for connection and service.

Check out her illustrations of surveillance in Glasgow on page 30

Cover image Govanhill Roma Men’s Group photo by Alexander Hoyles Editorial Team Devon McCole, Rhiannon J Davies and Samar Jamal Creative Director Laura Hurst paperarcade.co.uk Picture Desk Iain McLellan, Laura Vroomen Ad Sales & Socials Mikael Phillips Newsroom Facilities Catherine Weir Words by Clare Roberts, David Doren, David Milosiu, Devon McCole, giacinta frisillo, Iain McLellan, Jan Mitro, Jill Clark, Laura Vroomen, Lucy Gillie, Mikael Phillips, Marzanna Antoniak, Molly Adams, Peter McKenna, Romy St John, Rune Rubensson, Sarah Wishart, Samar Jamal, Stacey Anderson Photos by Alexander Hoyles, Clare Roberts, Dylan Beck, Fernanda Welsh Peña, giacinta frisillo, Iain McLellan, John Bowden, Karen Gordon, Rhiannon J Davies, Rob Reid, Romano Lav, Stefan Krajcik, Thomas Cornwallis, Zahra Karamizade

John Bowden

Last year I saw Greater Govanhill were looking for photographers to join a new group, and decided to sign up. It’s nice to see your work in print, but the new exhibition at Tramway is the highlight of my involvement with the Greater Govanhill photography group. It’s been a great 12 months!

Check out his photos of Kofi Kade on page 14

Illustrations by Chevy Morello, Cognitive Media, Gabriele Jaceviciute, Jillian Mendoza, Reset UK Additional research Gillian Warnock AI has been used to help with some sub-editing purposes.

All content, unless otherwise stated, is copyright © Greater Govanhill CIC. All rights reserved. No part of this independently published magazine may be reproduced without permission.

Greater Govanhill CIC is a community interest company registered at Langside Lane, Glasgow, G42 8BH, Scotland: SC656194.

Any queries, comments or letters, get in touch via: hello@greatergovanhill.com To make a complaint, visit: greatergovanhill.com/complaints

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Contents

Issue 18 May-July 2025

REGULARS

FEATURES

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18

30

“As someone with a physical disability, the internet and social media is the only way for me to get my views across to the world.”

“While we all live in the age of surveillance, some of us are being watched more than others.”

News in Brief

All the latest news from around the neighbourhood

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Roma News & Views

“In our fast paced world, taking the time to make something silly, simple and shared can lead to long lasting memories.”

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Recipe: Cacen Cymraeg

“This treat is a unique Welsh recipe which can be traced back to the 1800s”

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My Life Before Govanhill: Reza Ahdi

“My city and province used to be called the “Gate of Europe” due to the proximity to the border with Turkey.”

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Street Icons

“The streets of Govanhill are jam packed with pretty prints, cool colours and fantastic faces finding their roots in a broad array of cultures.”

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Your Govanhill: Kofi Kade

“Inspired by my Sri Lankan culture, traditional recipes passed down to me by my mom and granddad.”

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Stories From Our Streets: Allison Street

“Throughout its history, the long street has since become a melting pot for the many communities who have come to call Govanhill home.”

The Power of Digital Activism: How I use social media to fight for inclusion

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Digital Inclusion is a Human Rights Issue

“There’s no overnight fix to the big structural problems we face, but introducing digital tools and skills into people’s lives… can make a genuinely transformative impact.”

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Whose Space Is It Anyway?

Reclaiming our streets from harmful advertising

“Sometimes it can seem that we, as citizens, are only tolerated to fulfill our duty to capitalism – to be the best consumers we can be.”

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Remembering and Reimagining Govanhill’s high streets

“Govanhill’s probably a good example of a 15-minute neighbourhood, offering the mix of shopping, education, healthcare, culture and work within a small radius.”

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Are You Ready 4 Love?

The woes of online dating

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Behind the Hype: Meet the influencers of the Southside

“From street interviews to food reviews, Glasgow’s influencer scene is rapidly expanding.”

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Smile, You’re On Camera!

On the safety and dangers of surveillance

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AI Through Our Eyes: Three generations’ perspectives

“AI might still be considered a fad by some but the reality is, much like the internet, AI is here to stay.”

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Heritage Exhibition: Stories From Our Streets

“Our new exhibition celebrates local and living heritage, inviting us to pause, look closer and notice the narratives unfolding around us.”

TO CLOSE 36

What’s On The latest events from around the neighbourhood – and Govanhill Festival special

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Multilingual Quiz Govanhill Spring Quiz by Marzanna Antoniak

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Poetry Corner modern cyborg by Rune Rubensson

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Getting Out and About

By Lucy Gillie, South Seeds

Govanhill is a Home, Not a Headline

“Govanhill: passing-through place, gentrified, community-oriented, rubbish-strewn, underfunded, home.

Depending on who you ask you’ll get wildly different views of the place.”

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Life as a Govanhill Community Group Admin

“If Nicola Sturgeon retweets one of your posts, you’ll be up all night checking your mentions.”

FOLLOW US

@greatergovanhill.com greatergovanhill @greatergovanhill Sign up to our newsletter via: greatergovanhill.substack.com 5

news in brief Join our WhatsApp community Greater Govanhill’s Whatsapp community keeps you up to date with the latest happenings in the neighbourhood. Avoid the morning doom scroll and get the most important news in one place. If you’re worried about a drone of notifications, fear not!

The group is more of a space to read than to chat. If you’re looking for a bit more interaction head over to our writer’s group to see our latest pitches and suggest stories of your own. To join the group scan the QR code.

Nicola Sturgeon steps down, others step up Following Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement earlier this year that she is stepping away from Scottish politics altogether, others from the SNP party have announced their intention to step into her shoes and stand as a candidate in the Glasgow Southside constituency. Including, current MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Kaukab Stewart, who at the time of writing has been urging SNP members or delegates to vote to endorse her as the official candidate for the Glasgow Southside – which is the constituency she now lives in following the boundary changes. Candidates in next year’s election will be officially announced closer to election time, early in 2026.

Labour Councillor calls for emergency summit on violence against women and girls Southside Central Cllr Soryia Siddique has said Glasgow needs an emergency summit on violence as statistics from The Safe Glasgow Partnership show an alarming rise in violence against women and girls with a 41 percent rise in domestic violence against women, as well as reports of rape increasing by 40.6 percent and sexual assault by 28 percent in the last year alone. Soryia Siddique responded by calling upon fellow councillors, public authorities like Police Scotland, transport providers and businesses across Glasgow to work together to help create a safer environment for women and girls. She is also backing a Glasgow Women’s Safety Action Plan.

Community reacts to Supreme Court’s decision on gender On April 16 the UK Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling that the legal definitions of a “man” and “woman” under the Equality Act 2010 are based exclusively on biological sex assigned at birth.

Several Southside spaces voiced their concerns around the decsion.

The Glasgow Sunflowers, an inclusive community baseball team in the Southside, open to women, non-binary and trans people said: “The Supreme Court decision is an ideological one. What it does is legitimise unfounded moral panic about all trans people in this country. It will mean all women will be policed more for how they look, think and act.”

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More housing for the Southside as works began on 50 new affordable homes Construction on a new development, which began early last year, will introduce 50 new, energy-efficient homes to the Southside. On behalf of Southside Housing Association, AS Homes Scotland are tasked with bringing much needed social housing to the development on Pollokshaws Road, where the Arnold Clark showroom once stood. Keppie Design’s plans suggest the development will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom flats, which are expected to be wheelchair accessible. Lower energy lighting and solar panels will be incorporated to improve energy efficiency and reduce residents’ energy bills. The project has been delayed but construction is now expected to be completed by 2026.

Everybody to Kenmure Street is showing at the Cannes Filmmaker Felipe Bustos Sierra’s film Everybody to Kenmure Street will have a showcase at Cannes Doc: the film market held alongside the Cannes Film Festival, on Saturday 17 May. Each year, Cannes Docs showcases work-in-progress documentaries in the editing or post-production stage.

While this isn’t the party they’re hoping to have once the film is finished, or the red carpet at the GFT, Felipe said: “Getting this recognition at Cannes is a great boost to help us push ahead and get the film finished.”

New release from a local writer!

Inklings #29: How Does Change Happen? by Sam Gonçalves Filmmaker, writer and Greater Govanhill board member Sam Gonçalves, who’s been busy helping us prepare for our latest installation in our Community Canvas Space in the Tramway, has also been working away on his latest book: Inklings #29: How Does Change Happen? The book explores ‘Scenes From the Frontlines of Activism’, including real stories from activists and organisers making a meaningful difference in some of the biggest issues of the 21st century. The book is published sometime in May. Until then, pre-orders are available on 404ink.com.

news in brief Glasgow’s Post-war Housing: A People’s History call-out Glasgow Story Collective (GSC) has received funding to deliver a heritage project that documents the oral history of Glasgow’s post-war housing programmes, offering opportunities to former and current residents to record their memories of Glasgow’s older housing, including their experiences of living in housing schemes and high-rise flats. They offer training and work to disadvantaged and marginalised individuals and groups who want to get involved with local projects. To get involved email gscollective@outlook.com.

New Openings Get involved with Radical Glasgow Tours Radical Glasgow Tours, the team who create and deliver interactive walking tours exploring Glasgow’s history of activism, protest, political and social change, are looking for Glasgow residents to get involved. They are asking people to share photos, experiences, anecdotes, rumours and gossip relating to the radical histories of Glasgow. If you have any material you’d like to share you can email radicalglasgowtours@gmail.com.

Living Rent call for tourist tax to be reinvested into housing and social services The introduction of the Visitor Levy in Glasgow will see tourists taxed an additional 5 percent on stays in hotels, hostels, guest houses and B&Bs to raise an estimated £12.5 million annually, with £11 million allocated for events and city improvements. On April 22, Living Rent Glasgow announced they’d sent a letter signed by trade unions, local leaders and charities to Glasgow City Council demanding the money raised from the tax be reinvested into housing and ‘crumbling public services’ that benefit residents. You can read the open letter on their website: www.livingrent.org.

QASBA A new Scottish/Algerian food spot is expected to open on 21 Alison Street. The owners have announced on social media that foodies can expect house made merguez, tagine, pizza carré, tasty sandwiches and breakfast style dishes from the Levant. At the time of writing, the team behind Qasba teased they are merely weeks away from opening. Keep an eye out!

ZENNOR Coffee shop Zennor has taken over the former two eight seven space on Langside Road, which closed in November. Having relocated from Dennistoun, the team soft-launched on Saturday 19 April and are sharing more about the renovations, which includes a sit-in area. On Instagram they said: “Every waking moment has been spent building this new space – it truly has been a labour of love.”

ith

w P L E H T GE RSITY

UNIVE

Desks currently available to rent at The Community Newsroom Work from home and hate Mondays? Want to spend them out of the house and around other people? We currently have three desks available to rent in our newsroom on a Monday. The cost is £60pcm and you get free tea/coffee, wifi, printing and great chat. You can also swap days with other users when desks are available. To enquire, email newsroom@greatergovanhill.com.

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i emicfam d a c a y m

The Roma Men’s Group bring the Roma pancake roll TikTok trend to life

Z TikToku do Govanhillu: Mužská skupina oživila romskou palačinku

By David Milosiu and Jan Mitro Photos by Romano Lav

David Milosiu a Jan Mitro Foto: Romano Lav

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The Govanhill Roma Men’s Group, open to men age 18+, currently meets on a weekly basis and provides much needed space for socialising and relaxation as well as skill building. Watch this space for a special woodworking cultural project with Rags To Riches!

If you would like to join the group, please contact David at hello@romanolav.org or through the Romano Lav Facebook page.

Přitom jsme se naučili dvě cenné věci - zkoušet nové věci a využívat sociální média k tomu, abychom se sešli v reálném životě! Skupina romských mužů v Govanhillu se v současné době schází každý týden (v pružných časech) a poskytuje tolik potřebný prostor pro setkávání a relaxaci i pro rozvoj dovedností.

Sledujte tento prostor pro speciální kulturní projekt zpracování dřeva s Rags To Riches! Pokud byste se chtěli ke skupině připojit, kontaktujte Davida na adrese hello@romanolav.org nebo na facebooku Romano Lav. Skupina je otevřena romským mužům starším 18 let.

n the world of social media, it’s not uncommon to find viral trends that capture people’s attention. Viral videos can be so addictive, and when you finish one there is always another waiting. Social media is often isolating, keeping people apart from one another. But what happens when the hype around a viral video brings people back together in real life to create something new and wonderful? At the Govanhill Roma Men’s Group, that’s just what happened.

It all started one evening when the members of the group, who come together to learn and socialise, were scrolling through TikTok. One video caught their eye – a Roma style pancake roll. The clip showed someone wrapping an oversized pancake around a load of fillings and rolling it into a tight burrito – it looked amazing! They found videos of others doing the same – creations of over 12 feet long full of delicious fillings. It looked like a lot of fun and the group set to planning an event to make their own.

On the day of the event they gathered at MILK’s community kitchen. The men divided themselves into groups where they all had a task to do – cutting the fruits, mixing the pancake batter and frying the pancakes.

The men have been taking part in ESOL lessons during their time at the group, so this was also a learning session for them as they were introduced to new words in the cooking process.

After lots of cooking, rolling and decorating – the pancakes were done! Alongside their wives, who they invited to the meal, they sat down together to enjoy the delicious two metre long pancake – filled with strawberries, banana slices, grapes and some chocolate and cream too!

In our fast paced world, the Roma Govanhill Men’s Group proved that taking the time to make something silly, simple and shared can lead to long lasting memories. Maybe the next TikTok trend to go viral will be a local Govanhill creation – social media doesn’t have to be all bad. Used in the right way it can bring people together to create something great!

This digital trend brought the men’s group into the kitchen where they learned how to make pancakes, something which most of them had never done before.

They feIt that there was a sense of togetherness, creativity, and the shared joy of doing something unexpected.

Two valuable lessons were learned in the process – try new things and use social media to get together in real life!

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CZECH

e světě sociálních médií není neobvyklé, že se objeví virální trendy, které upoutají pozornost lidí. Virální videa mohou být tak návyková, a když jedno dokončíte, vždy na vás čeká další. Sociální média mohou lidi izolovat a držet je od sebe dál. Co se ale stane, když humbuk kolem virálního videa spojí lidi v reálném životě, aby vytvořili něco nového a úžasného? No, ve skupině Govanhill Roma Men’s Group se právě tohle stalo - inspirováno trendem TikTok a spoustou kreativity.

Vše začalo jednoho večera, kdy členové skupiny, kteří se scházejí, aby se učili a setkávali, procházeli TikTok. Jedno video je zaujalo - palačinka na romský způsob. Klip ukazoval, jak někdo obaluje nadměrně velkou palačinku náplní a stáčí ji do těsného burrita - vypadalo to úžasně! Na stránkách našli videa dalších, kteří dělali totéž - výtvory dlouhé přes metr a půl plné lahodných náplní. Vypadalo to jakospousta zábavy a skupina se pustila do plánování vlastní akce.

V den konání akce se muži sešli v komunitní kavárně, v kuchyni MILK. Muži se rozdělili do skupin, kde měli všichni za úkol - krájet ovoce, míchat palačinkové těsto a smažit palačinky.

Muži se během svého pobytu ve skupině účastnili také výuky ESOL, takže to pro ně byla také výuková lekce, protože se při vaření seznámili s novými slovy. Po spoustě vaření, válení a zdobení byly palačinky hotové! Muži k jídlu přizvali také své manželky, takže si nakonec všichni společně sedli, aby si odpočinuli a vychutnali si lahodnou dvoumetrovou palačinku - naplněnou jahodami, plátky banánu, hroznovým vínem a také trochou čokolády a smetany! V našem rychlém světě dokázala skupina Roma Govanhill Men’s Group, že věnovat čas přípravě něčeho hloupého, jednoduchého a společného může vést k dlouhotrvajícím vzpomínkám. Možná, že dalším trendem na TikToku, který se stane virálním, bude místní výtvor z Govanhillu - sociální média nemusí být jen špatná. Při správném použití mohou lidi spojit a vytvořit něco skvělého!

Celkově nejsou digitální trendy vždy špatné, protože to přivedlo skupinu mužů do kuchyně, kde se naučili dělat palačinky, což většina z nich nikdy předtím nedělala. Poté, co muži získali zpětnou vazbu, feIt, že v nich byl cítit pocit pospolitosti, kreativity a společné radosti z toho, že dělají něco nečekaného.

De la TikTok la Govanhill: Grupul de bărbați aduce la viață rulada de clătite a Romiilor

R O M A N IA

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De David Milosiu și Jan Mitro Fotografii de Romano Lav

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n lumea rețelelor sociale, nu este neobișnuit să găsiți tendințe virale care captează atentia oamenilor.

Videoclipurile virale pot crea dependență, iar când termini unul, există întotdeauna altul așteptând.

Rețelele de socializare pot fi izolatoare și țin oamenii departe unul de celălalt. Dar ce se întâmplă atunci când hype-ul din jurul unui videoclip viral reunește oamenii în viața reală pentru a crea ceva nou și minunat? Ei bine, la Govanhill Roma Men’s Group, tocmai asta s-a întâmplat– inspirat de un trend TikTok și de multă creativitate.

Totul a început într-o seară când membrii grupului, care se întâlnesc pentru a învăța și a socializa, derulau prin TikTok. Un videoclip le-a atras atenția – o rulada de clătite în stil ROMANES . Clipul a arătat pe cineva care înfășura o clătită supradimensionată plina de umpluturi și rulând-o într-un burrito strâns - arăta uimitor! Au găsit videoclipuri cu alții făcând același lucru – creații de peste 3 metri lungime pline de umpluturi delicioase. Arăta foarte distractiv, iar grupul s-a apucat să își planifice propriul eveniment. În ziua evenimentului, bărbații s-au adunat la cafeneaua comunității, bucătăria MILK. Bărbații s-au împărțit în grupuri în care toți aveau o sarcină de îndeplinit – să taie fructele, să amestece aluatul de clătite și să prăjească clătitele.

Bărbații au luat parte, de asemenea, la lecțiile ESOL în timpul petrecut în grup, așa că aceasta a fost și o sesiune de învățare pentru ei, deoarece li s-au introdus cuvinte noi în procesul de gatire.

După mult gătit, rulat și împodobit - clătitele au fost gata!

Bărbații și-au invitat și soțiile la masă, așa că în cele din urmă toți s-au așezat împreună să se relaxeze și să savureze

clătitele delicioase de 2 metri - umplute cu căpșuni, felii de banane, struguri și niște ciocolată și smântână! În lumea noastră în ritm rapid, Roma Govanhill Men’s Group a dovedit că luându-ne timp a face ceva prostesc, simplu și împărtășit poate duce la amintiri de lungă durată.

Poate că următoarea tendință TikTok care va deveni virală va fi o creație locală Govanhill - social media nu înseamnă să fie tot rău. Folosit în modul corect, poate aduce oamenii împreună pentru a crea ceva grozav! În general, Tendințele digitale nu sunt întotdeauna rele, deoarece acest lucru a adus grupul bărbaților în bucătărie unde au învățat să facă clătite, lucru pe care cei mai mulți dintre ei nu făcuseră niciodată înainte. După ce au primit feedback, bărbații au considerat că a existat un sentiment de unitate, creativitate și bucuria împărtășită de a face ceva neașteptat.

Au fost învățate două lecții valoroase în acest proces – încercați lucruri noi și folosiți rețelele sociale pentru a face acest lucru adunați-vă în viața reală!

În prezent, Govanhill Roma Men’s Group se întâlnește săptămânal (orar flexibil) și oferă spațiu atât de necesar pentru socializare și relaxare, precum și pentru dezvoltarea abilităților. Urmărește acest spațiu pentru un proiect cultural special de prelucrare a lemnului cu Rags To Riches! Dacă doriți să vă alăturați grupului, vă rugăm să îl contactați pe David la hello@romanolav.org sau pe Facebook-ul Romano Lav. Grupul este deschis bărbaților romi peste 18 ani.

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like my grandmother used to make

Cacen Cymraeg Words and photo by Clare Roberts

I grew up making Cacen Cymraeg (Welsh Cakes) with my mum, who passed the recipe on to me in English. She learned it from her mum, who learnt it from hers. My grandma (nain in Welsh) passed it on in English and Welsh.

Although I didn’t work hard enough to preserve our language, I preserved this recipe instead.

Officially, this treat is a unique Welsh recipe which can be traced back to the 1800s, but there are similar recipes across the world. Cacen Cymraeg goes by many names including picau ar y maen, which means cakes on the stone, griddle cakes or miners cakes. They are a treat for any time of day with a cup of tea.

Historically, all Welsh food could be described as pauper’s food, made with basic ingredients, often the only ones you can guarantee to find in your pantry. Similarly dishes like rarebit to bara brith (meaning speckled bread in Welsh) are made with basic ingredients. Yet, the only place I can find Welsh cakes in Glasgow is in Marks and Spencers. Most people who have moved to Scotland will know the struggle of craving food from home and having to make it themselves. But maybe there’s some appeal in making it yourself because it tastes best fresh?

When people think of Welsh food, they don’t think of dessert so I like to surprise people with something from home. Cacen Cymraeg are always cooked in a batch and are designed to be shared. After college, I moved to Argentina for a year. Whenever I felt the most homesick, I would make Welsh cakes for my friends. This was my first time making them – or any baking – without my mum. I became known for them and I even went to friend’s houses to bake them together, passing on the recipe.

The measurements have been refined over time. “But how much flour do I need, exactly?” my mum would ask, since my grandma would never give exact measurements for the sugar or the flour. Baking is a science, after all, but in experienced hands, science is simply another form of art.

My mum would tell this kind of anecdote to me when we baked using the scales. Yet, I found myself asking her the same question and she would reply with her hands as a form of measurement, “this much.” Indeed, after a few solo attempts, I have found that to be true. My hands figure out the measurements and, as mum would say, “you just know.”

My nain would sometimes add a pinch of mixed spice, if she had any.

My mum doesn’t add any spice except a pinch of salt occasionally, as the mood takes her. Perhaps as a method to meet my lineage in the middle, I add half a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of salt.

Ingredients

Method

makes 25-30 Welsh cakes

1. Sift flour in a bowl then add your cinnamon and salt. Gradually add the butter, rubbing it together by hand.

• 350g self-raising flour

2. Stir in sugar and sultanas. Beat the egg and add it to the mixture with the milk, until it is all a thick consistency.

• 220g butter • 125g caster sugar • 2 tbsp milk • ½ tsp cinnamon • 1 egg • 1 or 2 handfuls of sultanas • Pinch of salt • Pinch of caster sugar (to serve)

3. Roll out the dough onto a floured surface, about a ¼ inch thick and cut it into rounds – use a 5/6cm cutter or a mug.

4. Lightly grease a nonstick frying pan and cook on a low heat, about 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.

5. Once they are off the grill but still warm, dust with caster sugar and stick the kettle on to enjoy with a cup of tea.

Tips

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•

Swap sultanas with raisins if you prefer!

•

Don’t worry if you slightly burn any sides because you sprinkle sugar over them.

•

They keep for up to a week in an airtight container but believe me, once you’ve tasted them, they probably won’t last more than two days.

My Life Before Govanhill REZA AHDI

KAZAKHSTAN

UZ

BE

KI ST AN

TURKMENISTAN TÜRKIYE

Urmia Interview by Marzanna Antoniak Photo by Zahra Karamizade

IRAQ

KUWAIT

AFGHANISTAN

IRAN QUATAR

PAKISTAN

SAUDI ARABIA UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

OMAN

Where are your origins?

I was born on a hot summer day in 1994 in a city in Western Iran called Urmia. Big and densely populated, Urmia has the highest number of cars in the country.

Different ethnic groups such as Turks, Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians and Jews live there and I was able to find good friends amongst those different ethnicities. My city and province used to be called the “Gate of Europe” due to the proximity to the border with Turkey. For this reason Urmia attracted many travelers and truly prospered. One of the world’s largest salt lakes, lake Urmia, lies to the east of the city and instead of fish, you will find Artemia Salina, a creature that can live in saltwater.

whether I’d enjoy living here but contrary to the opinions I had heard of Govanhill, I think it’s one of the good areas in Glasgow. Both in terms of proximity to the city centre and in terms of the number and quality of amenities.

I’ve enjoyed the positive and multicultural environment here. I appreciate the fact that I don’t need to leave the neighbourhood each time I want to cook Iranian food because there are many shops locally that have the basic foods from the Middle East, such as pomegranate paste or canned vegetable puree. And I always enjoy buying organic fruits and coffee from Locavore.

Do you think you’ll stay here for good?

What about your education?

The days of my childhood passed quickly and before I knew it I was at university studying architecture. After finishing my studies I moved to Germany. I found the country very beautiful, with a strong industry. It took me a year and a half to convert my academic qualifications in Germany. While I was waiting, I made sure to learn the difficult and complicated German language. Once I achieved B2 level in German, I was able to find a good job with the BMW company and enjoyed working there for a while.

How did you end up in Scotland?

It was due to the non-renewal of my visa in Germany.

I was forced to emigrate again and ended up coming to the UK and settled in Glasgow. After ten months in Scotland, I went to London as I wanted to experience a life there. However, I quickly realised the prices for teenytiny rooms were sky-high and so I decided to return to bonnie Scotland and the friendly city of Glasgow.

Why Govanhill?

It was unintentional. It wasn’t easy to find accommodation in Glasgow in spring 2024, but I was able to rent a flat on Allison Street through a friend. Initially, I wasn’t sure

We will see… I’m currently considering a new job opportunity and it may take me away from Govanhill and even from Scotland. But even if I move away, I’ll always be happy to visit my good Glasgow friends!

Urmia: Fun Facts •

Urmia is the trading center for a fertile agricultural region where fruits and tobacco are grown.

•

It’s the oldest city in the northwestern region of Iran, registered as the 19th historical city of Iran.

•

The majority of the residents of Urmia are practicing Muslims but the Christian history of Urmia is well preserved and is evident in the city's many churches and cathedrals.

•

The name Urmia could have derived from the Assyrian Aramaic words, with Ur being a common name for cities around Mesopotamia. And Mia being Syriac for 'water': Urmia therefore roughly translates to "City of Water" referring to the great lake Urmia nearby.

•

Urmia University describes the city as “a city of firsts” with the first modern hospital formation in Iran, as well as the first medical training center, first modern school, the first local television network and the first local magazine.

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Street Icons Usually I focus on one individual to wear the crown of Greater Govanhill Style Icon but for this issue, we’ve decided to try something different.

The streets of Govanhill are jam packed with pretty prints, cool colours and fantastic faces finding their roots in a broad array of cultures. Spending a sunny afternoon in the neighbourhood, you’ll be inspired by the fashion parade that passes by.

By giacinta frisillo Photo by Stefan Krajcik

Ros Bell My sister had given me a sewing machine for my 30th birthday eight years before and I’d sewn one very crappy tote bag. Then, during lockdown I thought, ‘Well, it’s about time. It’s taking up room and I’ve always wanted to learn how to sew my own clothes.’ Being fat, you don’t get a great deal of choice. I’ve never really known what my own style is because you have to buy the clothes available.

Now I have a real fabric addiction.

There’s a great community around sewing and I love being able to create my own stuff.

Style Icons: Singer Beth Ditto and Tropico Photo founder Michelle Norris

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Des O’Sullivan and Fiadh (in-tow) I’m trying to be a bit more casual because I was a bit too funky with my clothes. My daughter’s in primary school and I’m feeling the pressure to blend in more. I’m not wearing hot pink and I don’t have a mad haircut now but life just changes and I like to keep things fresh. My daughter loves her fashion. She’s got a wishlist on Vinted and she decides what she wears every day. She’s quite creative but I think they get a bit of peer pressure when they start primary school but she’s still got her own unique thing going on.

Style Icon: Elvis Presley

Keng Keng, Lua, and Lu-Ray Tang

Gemma Jones and Bex Anson

Our clothes are mainly second hand.

Most of my clothes are picked by mum but I like them.

We’ve started sharing clothes now.

We’re nearly the same height!

My vibes today are Y2K. I’ve got Juicy Couture trackies on because I like to be comfy when I’m in pain. I’m wearing some Tiger Balm, too.

Style Icon: For this moment, the best style is intifada and revolutionary

Style Icon: Rhianna, of course!

I got all my jewellery from Victoria Vaults – my favourite jeweller. My collar is from a really good friend of mine who is a costume designer. I’ve had it for 20 years.

Libby Lobberson I’m wearing my partner’s socks. I got these boots in France ‘cause I was getting mad blisters from my other boots. They’re kind of nice but because they’re pure fabric, I just get soggy socks. This is my pal’s ex-girlfriend’s jacket. I get most of my clothes second hand or stolen from pals and lovers.

Style Icon: Myself

Style Icon: I channel Leslie Winer from 1989 New York

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By Samar Jamal

Kofi Kade

Photos by John Bowden

Opened just last year on Cathcart Road, Kofi Kade is one of only two Sri Lankan-inspired food spots currently in Glasgow. Its mix of fresh veg, marinated meats and homemade sauces in sandwich form has been a hit with Southsiders and beyond. We sat down with 37-year-old Rukshan Weeraratne to hear more about the man behind the shop.

WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND KOFI KADE Sauces were the primary business and that evolved into sandwiches. I started making sauces during Covid-19. It wasn’t meant to be a business venture at all – it just turned into one because people loved the sauce and kept ordering. Kofi Kadi was created to pay the bills so we could focus on making sauces but it developed its own unique selling point.

It was an accidental creation. But we’re in a fortunate position where both work hand in hand.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS ONE SANDWICH, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I’d say steak and cheese. It’s one of my favorite ones.

Well-marinated and cheesy – just like me!

IF YOU COULD PICK A LOCAL FAVORITE FOOD SPOT IN GOVANHILL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Gomo Kimchi. I didn’t know Eddie before I started the business but we became close. His story is very relatable – he implements his heritage in his food, using family recipes like his auntie’s. That personal touch really resonates with me.

FAVOURITE INDOOR SPACES IN SOUTHSIDE? I really enjoyed Tramway when we took part in a show called 12 Last Songs which is about our relationship with work and representation. As part of it, we cooked the Sri Lankan dish, Kiribath, on stage for an audience of 30 people.

It’s a great space!

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WHAT KIND OF SAUCES DO YOU MAKE AND WHERE ARE THE RECIPES INSPIRED FROM? Inspired by my Sri Lankan culture, traditional recipes passed down to me by my mom and granddad. But the variations of sauce were my own creations. They’re essentially Sri Lankaninspired chilli sauces.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE ARTIST? I grew up on hip hop, so I always go back to Mobb Deep. They’re not exactly positive but their storytelling is strong. I admire that a lot.

stories from our streets

Allison Street

By Stacey Anderson Photo by Thomas Cornwallis

I once heard that Allison Street and two of its perpendicular roads, Daisy and Annette, were all named after the daughters of prominent 18th century ironmaster, William Dixon – located in the village which housed the workers of his Little Govan Colliery. In reality, Allison Street has its own, distinct history.

According to Aileen Smart, author of Villages of Glasgow, Allison Street is more likely to be named after Sir Archibald Alison, 1st Baronet (despite the different spelling). Alison was a 19th century advocate, historian, public prosecutor and writer.

He wrote on the History of Europe, across 18 volumes. For his verbose writings he was famously parodied in former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli’s novel, Coningsby, where Archibald was loosely disguised as ‘Mr. Wordy.’

During his service in public prosecution, his involvement in suppressing riots and strikes is recorded in several instances.

There is one particularly dramatic incident from 1837 in which, whilst acting as Sheriff, Alison had to respond to a murder of a ‘new hand’ amid trade union uprisings. The conspirators were subsequently arrested, with the workers returning to their jobs by Monday.

Despite seeming to rule against unions and workers, Alison appeared to enjoy a fair popularity in the city up until his death in 1867. Crowds of up to 150,000 people, most said to be mill and iron workers, were estimated to turn out to witness the route of his coffin from his home. A bust of Sir Archibald is on show at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

The street

In 1875, the building of a block of tenement flats designed by Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson was completed not long after the architect’s death. A commemorative plaque from the Alexander Thomson trail can be seen outside 285-289 Allison Street. The inspiration from antiquity remains visible on the sandstone block to this day as the flats feature distinctive anthemion decoration in the form of detailed motif palmettes and meander patterns above the window panes.

Other notable buildings include the former Queen’s Park Fire Station at 52 Allison Street which was designed to

reflect the gothic revival Scottish Baronial style. This was built in 1896 by A.B. McDonald, the architect also known for designing Govanhill Baths.

The tenements were built to house employees of mills and the ironworks.

A wealth of tobacconists, off sales, dairy shops and cafes also began to populate the street in the first half of the 20th century.

Allison Street itself is one of Govanhill’s longest, spanning from Aikenhead Road to Pollokshaws Road. An area once considered to be ‘a beautifully secluded place’ did not retain this reputation after industrial developments.

Throughout its history, the long street has since become a melting pot for the many communities who have come to call Govanhill home. In the 1960s the Glasgow Hebrew Burial Society set up an office on the street and the street became a hub, with other Jewish business and delis and kosher butchers finding their homes on the street. Communities from Eastern Europe and the Indian Subcontinent also moved into the area, leading to a rise in grocers and bakers, amongst many more traders which populate the street today.

Your Memories of Allison Street

Kevin Kelly remembers wild fruit fights across the street once the shops had shut for the day. There used to be far more fruit shops than there are now, he recalls. Damian Tausney and Patricia Sitek both remember the Unique chip shop as a local favourite. Maria Kus recalls, a time over 30 years ago, when Allison Street had two butchers and a post office, packed on pension days – “all now long gone.”

Tausney also shared his memories of Wilson’s butcher, a local favourite for tea. The Wilson boys would make steak pies “while Jack and John would be giving a bit of banter and there’d be women who were there getting their man’s tea for the night.”

Tausney adds that further along, a delicatessen had a range of items: “The first thing that hit you was the smell of bagels and bread. Then you spotted the stickers and foreign food packets and you felt you had a flavour of being abroad. I loved it.”

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INTRODUCING:

Creative Writing on the Cost of Living Crisis

By Romy St John, project coordinator, Arkbound Foundation Photo by giacinta frisillo

E

arlier this year, Arkbound Foundation ran a series of six workshops at Greater Govanhill’s Community Newsroom, themed around creative writing and the cost of living crisis. Each workshop was led by a different facilitator and with six sessions on topics ranging from ‘what makes a writer’, to health inequalities and political poetry.

Participants were a diverse group of Glasgow-based writers with varying levels of writing experience but who all embraced the sessions and writing exercises with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Arkbound is a charity that aims to empower people through writing and improve diversity within publishing. We run creative writing workshops and mentorship programmes aimed at writers who might otherwise have difficulty accessing such opportunities. We also publish books by the authors from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds and we run a crowdfunding platform, Crowdbound, to raise funds for publishing books or for social or environmental projects.

I asked each of our participants to produce a short piece of writing for these pages that related to something they’d learned from the sessions or their experience of attending the workshops. The resulting pieces span poetry and prose, touch on the deeply personal as well as the societal, and generally point to the power of writing to help make sense of yourself and the world around you. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Karmjit Badesha Taped to the shutter is a short, tearful letter, ‘Due to rising costs…’ another local shop is lost.

Stealthy taggers do their duty with colourful swagger, overlaid with homemade posters, fading, outrage in tatters.

Then ‘We’ve made a start!’ captures curious online hearts As windows washed white keeps the refit out of sight.

Countdown complete! Dogs, prams, friends crowd the street.

The buzz going around: ‘its a jewel in Govanhill’s crown.’

‘Wow, those pastries and buns look class! They’re going fast,

Syeda Sadaf Anwar Zaidi

Blue Sky ( Where will be the blue sky?

Where will that house be found?

Where they passed the night and day Where you and we met Where all was true Where all was love Where all the secrets were Where everyone was friends Where all the fields are golden

Digging my fists deeper into my pockets I walk away.

‫کہاں ہوگا نیال آسامن‬ ‫کہاں ملے گا وہ گھر‬ ‫جہاں گزرے وہ رات دن‬

Chris Park

‫جہاں ملے تھے تم اور ہم‬

Learning what Words Mean

‫جہاں سب سچ تھا‬ ‫جہاں سب سچ تھا‬ ‫جہاں سب راز تھا‬ ‫جہاں سب یار تھے‬ ‫جہاں وو سب کھیت سنہرے‬

Now all are dust

‫اب سب خاک ہوئے‬

Now all are ashes

‫جہاں سب پیار تھا‬

Where will that blue sky be found?

Where will that house be found?

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they won’t last the day. Almond croissant…£4.50!?’

)

‫کہاں ملے گا وو نیال آسامن‬ ‫کہاں ملے گا وہ گھر‬

I was the lamplit silhouette in the corner of the library. I wrote self-indulgently, and I wrote badly. Then, tentatively, I stepped outside, into Govanhill, and discovered a group to create and learn with. Each of us bound by words, passion, coffee and a city we all call home. Ideas like sparks pinging across the room while we embraced narratives of resilience, power, animals, wellbeing, resistance.

Language can help us weather the storm, navigate the permacrisis of planet Earth – a powerful tool for fighting back. I know now when stories are shared it gives us hope: courage to bring our truth into a reckless world.

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Izah Bowes

Michelle Primrose

Alastair Callander

“Free Spin”

DYSLEXIC ME

The Dreamer

When I write, I dance. My partner is rigid.

It was Friday 3rd of February going out for the day, got in my car, and crashed it at the bottom of the hill on black ice.

People say I’m a dreamer

I will him to loosen up; to bend just so.

He is fickle, unflinching. He takes my feelings, my unfettered steps, and demands they’re fitted.

He makes ineffable life boil itself into words so narrow.

Our dance whirls us round the floor, the pen, the page. He steps on my toes; I compromise every time.

The raw, rhythm of me is moulded to his choreography, forced to its pattern.

I am a raver, forced to spin waltz. I am a poet, born to scream, sweat, head bang; to mosh and disappear into the rhythm. I am a poet, forced to sway and twirl and turn.

English is no step for the Irish song, but it’s the only dance I know.

Eithne Gallagher

The Shape of Survival PTSD rewires you.

It turns safety into suspicion, silence into a threat. Being neurodivergent means I already experience the world in high definition.. too bright, too sharp, too unpredictable.

Sometimes ordinary things feel impossible.

In the Arkbound workshop, I wrote through the static. I wrote about the exhaustion of masking, the weight of hypervigilance, the way trauma lives in the body long after it’s over. I wrote about trying to find a place in a world that doesn’t adjust its volume for me.

And in writing, I found a kind of freedom. Not a cure, not an escape, but a space where I could exist without apology.

I used to think survival was about shrinking, about enduring quietly. But maybe it’s about telling the truth.. messy, unfiltered,

What a start to my weekend.

Later on that day I checked my emails, it was from Arkbound I have been accepted onto the writing group at Govanhill.

Fantastic good news for a change.

I’m nervous the anticipation of meeting others that might be proper writers as I’m not.

But I’m scared and I’m sick of it Scared of judgment Scared of misunderstanding Scared of the consequences Writing unlocks the shackles Of how I “should” be When I’ve felt judgemental, bitter and angry I find peace

It’s the first day.

In honesty, kindness and curiosity

Riddled with anxiety, my PTSD is here I’m first to arrive, I’ve met Romy she’s a really nice person.

It’s a testament to the human spirit That people still care for community

One by one appear.

I want to stop pointing fingers

Everyone looked and sounded so well educated, I’m definitely not fitting in with them.

It’s now the last day.

I have made new friends and I have opened up over the past few weeks about having dyslexia it’s been hard but we have had some laughs and it’s been a blast.

I feel like one of them now, Somehow a writer

In spite of what’s incentivised Use evidence based behaviour change theory To encourage action and express anger Through honesty, kindness and curiosity Please see me See humans See people See caring All behaviour makes sense I’m scared

Em Recently, I saw a wrecked man board my bus. He was awkwardly carrying an older unboxed television. Momentarily, he couldn’t figure out that held width ways the entrance would not accommodate. A helpful stranger offered to pay his fare, and they placed the TV haphazardly alongside stored shopping bags and he stood swaying, eyes barely present, on guard besides his prize, forever nervously checking the TV remote control stored in his coat pocket.

Life was likely a struggle. But he’d scored a small victory.

Suddenly, it was his stop to get off, so grabbing the TV awkwardly, desperately, and in his panic scratching it loudly across its screen as he mismanaged the bus exit.

Up the hill backwards Trying hard to make a dent Everything hurts

real.

Victory’s defeat

And maybe, in that, I can take up space without fear.

Help up with a tender hand Vulnerable us

And I’m told “this is just how it is” Although I can see through the bars of fear I’ll just have to keep dreaming For now.

Anton McLeod

Un-truths do trickle down I used to think that I was the problem, the whole problem, and nothing but the problem. I loathed myself for having Bipolar-Disorder and I especially loathed myself for being on benefits. Until I learned Transcendental Meditation, which quieted, and continues to quiet, my mind. This enabled me to attend an Arkbound course, ostensibly focused upon the Cost-of-Living Crisis, but where I learned that the seeds of my self-loathing were likely sown by the divisive politics of the seventies.

Divisive politics, that likely also play a role in why I had to pay a small fortune to learn an Eastern meditation technique not embraced by Western NHS decision makers.

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THE POWER OF DIGITAL ACTIVISM

How I use social media to fight for inclusion

By Jill Clark Photo by Karen Gordon

C

ampaigning is my game and it is all digital. Some people say the internet and social media is dangerous. I understand where they are coming from but as someone who has a physical disability, the internet and social media is the only way for me to get my views across to the world.

My name is Jill, I am 33 and I live in Glasgow. I have a disability called cerebral palsy which affects my muscles, movement and my speech. I use a wheelchair all of the time and I communicate by using a communication device. I use a tracker dot on my forehead to access the programmes on my device. It has 144 boxes and under each box there are words for a subject, helping me express my thoughts.

I feel strongly about human rights, especially disabled people’s rights. I am well known as ‘the toilet woman’ because of my work campaigning for Changing Places toilets. Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of all people with a disability.

Over 250,000 people in the UK with a disability need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably. These needs are met by Changing Places toilets.

These toilets have specialised builtin facilities to be fully accessible for people with complex disabilities who may need assistance. They also have equipment such as a hoist, a changing bed and they are big enough for a

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wheelchair user and two carers to move around in. I wrote more about the need for more of these facilities in issue 14 of Greater Govanhill.

As a campaigner you get invited to meetings, conferences or to do speeches. I love doing all of these things but there are barriers as someone with a physical disability.

When I’m asked to go somewhere new I can’t just say “Okay, I can go!”

My mind goes mad thinking of things like, ‘Will I get into the building okay?

Is there a ramp? What about the toilet, is there a Changing Place? Is it big enough inside to get around in my wheelchair?’.

All of the above would normally put me off campaigning but this is where the internet and social media comes in. In the early days of my campaign, I started an online petition to get a Changing Places toilet installed and I shared it on Facebook, it got over 100 signatures. Then a few years later I decided to create a Facebook page for my campaign, The Toilet Woman and Clarky Blogs. This has helped me to get my message across about Changing Places, particularly on Changing Places Awareness Day on 19 July. I also use X and Instagram for my campaign.

When I find new Changing Places I post videos and blogs about it to make people aware of them. There is also a Changing Places toilet app that lets you know where these can be found near you. When I started

campaigning, over ten years ago, there were just two Changing Places toilets in Glasgow and now there are roughly 26.

A big part of my campaign was to get a Changing Places toilet installed in my local shopping centre. I posted this information on social media and asked followers to share the campaign if they agreed. Over 200 people shared the post. Eventually, a Changing Places toilet was opened and I posted an update to let everyone know, which got a lot of engagement.

Like everything, social media has its downside too. When Glasgow Live published an article, a troll left rude comments about me and my campaign. I fought back and the comment was taken down.

When I think about it, if there wasn’t any internet and social media, my campaign wouldn’t have had such success. Campaigning online also allows me to hear from people from other countries who message me to find out about Changing Places and helps me meet other people who use Changing Places or support someone who does. It has been good to build up a network and share our experiences.

My advice for using the internet and social media for campaigning is ‘don’t be shy and don’t worry about posting something people don’t like’.

If that’s the case then they shouldn’t follow you.

DIGITAL INCLUSION IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE

By Peter McKenna, digital inclusion lead at Mhor Collective Photo by Iain McLellan

“I

support people to use their phones… or laptops… or iPads” – that’s the line I usually offer up to people when they ask me what I do. Having worked in this type of role for over a year now, I’ve found that opening with “I work in Digital Inclusion”, doesn’t tend to answer the initial question very clearly because in my experience “digital inclusion” doesn’t mean much to most people when casually dropped into a conversation.

But equally, my line about phones, laptops and iPads never feels like a satisfying answer either. This is because neither answer explains what I actually do or what digital inclusion really is. Maybe what’s most significant though, is that neither of these answers properly describe what digital exclusion is; how it impacts people and communities, the barriers that exist for people wanting to get online or use a device safely and the crisis that digital inequality poses to our lives and to the lives of those we live alongside.

So, in some ways, I am writing this article for the selfish reason of trying to formulate a punchier one-liner that explains digital inclusion in a nutshell (spoiler alert: I don’t). And hopefully, in the process of me working this out, I can provide an idea of how digital exclusion exists within our community – what you can do if you experience it and how you can support others who experience it.

So, what is it? Very often it is the act of showing someone how to turn on their phone, how to scroll up and down a webpage on their laptop, how to zoom into a photo with their finger and thumb on an iPad. But it’s also the act of sitting alongside someone (maybe physically, maybe on Zoom) while they do this and understanding who they are and what their life looks like. And then, with that understanding – often built up over weeks and months – introducing an understanding of how a truly connected digital life could enrich their day-to-day, empower them and unlock opportunities.

And in the same way that the internet is an endless sprawling landscape of ‘stuff’ (for lack of a better word), the possibilities that a digitally included life offers people are genuinely endless and look like something totally different for every person in our society. In my experience of supporting digital learners, that’s been everything from supporting someone to make a Universal Credit application online, to binge watching every single dance archived on the Strictly Come Dancing Youtube channel, making their first online ASDA order, FaceTiming a grandchild or registering a UK asylum claim. I could go on, but you get what I mean. Sometimes it’s empowering someone to tackle that essential, urgent, often very scary stuff and sometimes it’s showing them something that will make their day a bit nicer or more convenient.

Finding out the barriers that prevent someone from owning or using a device or data is just as important when it comes to getting people online. Often, it’s structural inequality and the societal barriers that result from poverty, disability, race, class, gender, sexuality, age or residency status, that prevent people from accessing or using technology with the safety and confidence that many of us take for granted.

As we plunge deeper into a digital society, the gap widens. Covid lockdowns forced us online at a rapid pace. The Scottish Government invested £200 million in 2021 to get 300,000 households connected by 2026. Fast forward to 2025 and the Scottish Government’s promise is already broken with the current digital inclusion budget slashed to just £2 million. Short-term digital inclusion projects and job roles with limited funding pop up and disappear just as quickly. Under these conditions, supporting people who want to become truly digitally included are often stopped in their tracks.

These cuts come as AI crashes into our lives, newsfeeds fill up with misinformation and services move increasingly and exclusively online. Often the services responsible

for supporting those most likely to be digitally excluded are the ones shirking the responsibility for supporting people to access them in this new way – looking at you DWP, Home Office UK and Scotland’s GP practices.

There is no overnight fix to the big structural problems we face but introducing digital tools and skills into people’s lives, at their own pace, can make a genuinely transformative impact. Digital inclusion is a human rights issue, so by talking about it with others, sharing skills and knowledge, you are supporting people to live a more connected life.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP Donate old devices for others to use to charities such as Refuweegee.

The National Data Bank provides free SIM cards to community groups – your organisation can apply to become a distributor: goodthingsfoundation.org/network Some O2 stores offer free SIMs – just ask in store, no personal info needed: o2.co.uk/national-databank If you receive Universal Credit or Pension Credit, ask your provider about a Social Tariff – cheaper phone/internet deals (usually £10–£23/month): bitly.cx/moreinfo Govanhill Baths Community Trusts has launched Computer Confidence workshops: bitly.cx/govanhillbaths Glasgow Life offers: DigiPALS: one-to-one digital support drop-ins – more info at your library: bitly.cx/digipals Computer Skills Classes: Call 0800 158 3974 to book a session near you.

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WHOSE SPACE IS IT ANYWAY? RECLAIMING OUR STREETS FROM HARMFUL ADVERTISING 20

Words and photo

by Iain McLellan with additional research from Gillian Warnock

H

aving been moved and informed by the reporting featured in the last issue about the effects of gambling harms in our community, I started wondering about other invasive and pervasive cultural factors hiding ‘in plain sight.’

The saturation of advertising taking over our streetscapes and public spaces fits this bill.

This doesn’t mean the riot of colour, fonts and offers from independent shopkeepers and services – or the gig posters, protest notices and Sunday plant-sales. These are generated locally and normally provide a grassroots service to our barrio – an information exchange.

It’s all about intent. The culprits are the multinational advertising agencies that co-opt our space and normalise toxic messaging. Sometimes it can seem that we, as citizens, are only tolerated to fulfill our duty to capitalism – to be the best consumers we can be. Mainstream advertising drip feeds us this message whether we realise it or not.

Some harms are obvious, such as a measurable over-prevalence of junk food messaging – particularly in the least advantaged neighbourhoods. The aviation industry tries to sell us the myth of ‘carbon-neutral’ travel. Fossil fuel companies claim they are trying to actively intervene to lessen global climate change, continuously indulging in greenwashing of the most cynical kind.

Plenty more categories can be chosen from – streaming services, vapes, industrialised farming practices and supermarket sleight of hand ‘savings’ for the canny shopper. The acceptance of this as somehow normal directly drives the destruction of our biosphere.

A brief overview of the ‘ethics’ policy of a handful of the biggest media owners such as Clear Channel or Seen Outdoor, reveals startling hypocrisy. What’s the point in planting a few trees to salve their collective conscience when research from AdFree Cities (a ‘network of groups challenging corporate outdoor advertising and reclaiming public space for art, community and nature’), shows that the number-one outdoor advertisers are the legacy automotive industry? Equally, a multinational pitching in for a token litter-pick or two does not excuse taking the coin of the junk food lobby – a major contributor to the problem of street littering in the first place.

Perhaps, most harmful is the effect advertisers have on our own body image and sense of selfworth. The privatisation of our very corporeal mass.

The cosmetic and fashion lobby have become selfappointed guardians of what constitutes ‘normal’ – what if your gender identity, look or size isn’t mainstream? That’s okay – you can spend your way back into conformity.

This situation can be seen as an irresistible force but we shouldn’t be too forlorn. There is hope – there are tools at our disposal if we choose not to accept the status quo. It all starts from the grassroots – we need to care about the commodification of our public spaces.

Campaign group AdFree Cities offers options for the recovery of local autonomy by forming local groups within a national network (although there is not yet one in Glasgow), lobbying councillors and parliament and campaigning for changes in

SOMETIMES IT CAN SEEM THAT WE, AS CITIZENS, ARE ONLY TOLERATED TO FULFILL OUR DUTY TO CAPITALISM – TO BE THE BEST CONSUMERS WE CAN BE legislation. They invite people to send in pictures of inappropriate advert placements – some that might qualify are those on Victoria Road where adverts for the London-based radio station LBC are routinely displayed. Not entirely relevant or well targeted.

A number of cities around the world have already taken strides in an attempt to go ad-free. São Paulo led the way with its Clean City Law in 2007 which banned all outdoor advertising. In a year they removed 15,000 billboards and 300,000 oversized storefront signs, replacing some ad spaces with street art. Other cities around the world (including Chennai, Tehran and Grenoble) have since introduced their own bans. Closer to home, in May 2024, Edinburgh prohibited advertising of fossil fuelpowered vehicles, commercial flights, cruise ships, and SUVs on council owned spaces. While Sheffield and York have also introduced bans on advertising junk food, vaping and other harmful practices.

Could Glasgow follow suit?

Most forms of advertising placement require planning consent from the city council. They also lease out certain sites for advertising. For example, the ten year contract for all ‘bus shelter cleaning, maintenance, repair and advertising services’ is held by multinational corporation, Clear Channel. This can look like a conflict of interest – our legislators are tasked with minimising the harms of advertising but rely on the revenue generated to prop up terminally underfunded services and infrastructure.

Glasgow City Council’s policy on this states that ‘the Council will resist the accumulation of advertising clutter’ to ‘ensure that the visual amenity… of an advertising site or the surroundings is not adversely affected.’ They also state that ‘colours and level of luminance should not interfere or cause distraction to road and cycleway users in the vicinity of signals.’ Yet media owners make a feature of their owned sites as located in places guaranteed to be seen – commonly at busy road junctions, raising concerns about road safety and distracting motorists.

We don’t need to take this lying down. In Govanhill, we have a proud tradition of sticking up for our shared spaces. We aren’t just consumers asking to be force fed an unsustainable and unhealthy lifestyle. Get involved locally – apathy isn’t an option. Visit adfreecities.org.uk to find out what you can do.

We plan on doing a follow up story on this with data accessed under the Freedom of Information Act. Let us know what you think by scanning this code, and uploading pictures of harmful advertising in the neighbourhood.

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Remembering and reimagining Govanhill’s high streets Writer Laura Vroomen sets off to discover shops that have been lost and those which are likely to survive – meeting shopkeepers, neighbours, and newcomers to uncover how a changing retail landscape reflects a community in flux.

By Laura Vroomen Illustration by Gabriele Jaceviciute

‘Y

ou are a New Yorker when what was there before is more real and solid than what is here now.’

According to the logic of this often-quoted line from Colson Whitehead, you’re a true Govanhillian when you think of Victoria Road as forever home to the Queen’s Café and Pearson’s – two much-loved businesses that now no longer exist.

Nostalgia is a strong factor in attitudes towards our changing streets. But what is driving this change? Is it our changing needs? Or our evolving habits; favouring quick and easy online purchases over traditional forms of shopping? And were things really better in the good old days?

Even after barely 18 months in the area, I’m still a little wistful when a favourite shop or eatery closes and another opens. Reflecting on the ever-changing retail landscape, I set out to talk to shopkeepers and shoppers.

When I asked people in Govanhill what they make of their local high street and whether they can still get what they need locally, one name kept popping up: Inex. In a world where most things are only a mouse-click away, many of us love to pop into this bricks-and-mortar store. As some suggested, it’s not unusual to go in for one thing and come out with lots of other items. Sledges during the winter months got a special mention.

Mr Majid has run the hardware store on Victoria Road for over 30 years. Throughout that time, he says, business has been quite steady despite competition from online retailers.

Although he sells some products online (predominantly bigger garden items), most of the sales are still made in-store. Parking is a problem though, particularly for deliveries.

It’s a similar story for Geoff who runs Campbell’s, the family business selling school uniforms. First opened in the early 1930s, it can stake a convincing claim to being the oldest surviving shop on Victoria Road. Since taking over the business in the late 80s, Geoff has seen a lot of change, with the loss of bank branches and the post office having the biggest impact on his business. The absence of a post office nearby and the small margins on the likes of a polo shirt mean that online retailing isn’t really worth pursuing.

Long-time local Mr Ahmad, who first moved to Govanhill as a young man in 1962 and has lived here ever

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since, commented on all the establishments that have disappeared from Victoria Road and Cathcart Road. Back in the day, he notes: “Every variety of shop was here, you could buy anything. You didn’t have to go into town.” Now the shoe shops and tailors have made way for bookies, carry-outs and coffee shops.

This abundance of coffee shops, as well as bakeries, comes in for both praise and criticism, with the sceptics singling out the prohibitively high cost of some of the baked goods. The proliferation of just a few types of shop also has knock-on effects for those trying to offer something different, as Richy, owner of the lifestyle store, House Party explained. Govanhill seems to have become a destination for food and drink, effectively crowding out other types of businesses. When I spoke to him, the Victoria Road shop was about to close and switch to online sales only for the time being: “A cluster of other shops doing similar things would be better.” But high rents on Victoria Road are not conducive to risk taking.

One relative newcomer on Cathcart Road is Burning House Books, which was opened by Aimee four years ago. She sells some books online but much prefers to sell them in person to give customers a highly personalised experience: “I want people to come into Burning House Books with virtually no idea what they are looking for and to leave upwards of an hour later having talked it out.”

While this approach requires a certain amount of planning, there is certainly an appetite for the kind of shopping that favours the local and independent. People I spoke to repeatedly mentioned the sense of connection and community it gives them. Both Christine and Jill, who have lived in Govanhill for more than 10 and 30 years respectively, commented on the joy of bumping into people while going round multiple shops. Damian, who has lived in the area for decades, highlighted the environmental benefits of avoiding bigger supermarkets in favour of, say, butchers. Not only are you likely to end up with less packaging, but the option of buying smaller quantities results in less food waste. Karen, who moved here two years ago, told me that she loves to buy fresh produce in small grocery stores and get to know their proprietors, saying that “it makes you feel at home”.

it seems that many of us simply don’t want to hand over money to faceless multinationals that are indifferent to our communities.

Govanhill is probably a good example of a 15-minute neighbourhood, offering the mix of shopping, education, healthcare, culture and work within a small radius that urban planners are so fond of. But for that to remain workable, it is vital that our high streets don’t become overreliant on a few particular types of businesses that cater only to a particular section of the population.

Another shopping street forever in flux is Cathcart Road. Several people noted that it is no longer the varied shopping street it once was and many now associate it primarily with South Asian dress and fabric shops. When I spoke to Aneela at Sajh Dhaj, she told me that during the nine years she has been selling her special occasion wear, selling mostly to locals and some online, she has seen a lot of change. A combination of Covid-19, high rents and a generational change in attitudes towards traditional South Asian dress has forced a lot of businesses to close. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues and what the next incarnation of Cathcart Road will look like.

It echoes Aimee’s hope for the future: “I hope we see more people on first name terms with shopkeepers than we do Amazon delivery vans.” The online behemoth comes in for a great deal of criticism. Not only is it seen to be killing the specialist shops and creating a lot of packaging waste where recycling opportunities are limited but more importantly it seems that many of us simply don’t want to hand over money to faceless multinationals that are indifferent to our communities.

It is lovely to think of the surviving shops in Govanhill as part of a more sustainable and resilient local system, as part of a circular economy that keeps money in the community and helps sustain our neighbourhood. The reality is probably more nuanced though. This kind of nicely curated, independent shopping experience is perhaps something of a privilege, available to those with both time and money to spend. There’s no getting away from the fact that for many the online or bigger retailers are a more affordable option.

One of the criticisms often leveled at the concept of the 15-minute neighbourhood is that improved amenities have the potential to drive up property prices, which in turn can lead to gentrification and further entrench social inequalities. There isn’t the scope here to really unpack this but it’s clear that when it comes to our changing streets there’s a careful balance to be struck between preserving character, ensuring access and embracing change.

One thing is certain, Govanhill’s shopping streets will continue to evolve. Online retailers are probably not the main driver of these changes, with unaffordable rents and rates, parking restrictions and changing tastes all playing a role. And as local residents we have a role to play as well, not least in continuing to make connections and honouring the diversity of our neighbourhood. Or, as Mr Ahmad puts it, continuing “the tradition of Govanhill.” After all, this is “still a fantastic place.”

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24

Behind the Hype Meet some of the Southside’s influencers

By Molly Adams • Photos by Fernanda Welsh Peña

From street interviews to food reviews, Glasgow’s influencer scene is rapidly expanding – using social media to curate an online identity that connects people across Glasgow and beyond. We met some of the people behind the accounts.

Shauna McGregor @shaunamcgregor

@shauna.mcgregor

M

oving into a rundown flat on Victoria Road, Shauna decided to document the renovation of her new home on Instagram. This marked the first step in Shauna’s career as a content creator: “I was just trying to have fun with it", she said.

When Covid-19 hit, Shauna took advantage of the opportunity to work from home, dedicating more time to her social media content: “I was a bit trapped in the house, so being able to flex creatively from home was a bonus.”

Today, Shauna has over 15,000 Instagram followers, creating an array of weekend vlogs,

from styling, to fashion inspiration and DIY renovations of her newest home in Shawlands.

Along with her freelance stylist work, Shauna is now a full-time creator. Balancing these two streams of employment can be challenging, and working from home presents difficulties: “Sometimes it can be hard to stick to a routine.

In other forms of work, you have someone telling you what to do or checking in – with this, you don’t have that.”

Despite some challenges, Shauna values having the freedom to create the content she wants when she wants.

Supper and a Can: Giovanni @supperandacan

G

iovanni’s interest in content creation began when he managed the social media account of the shoe shop Size? in Glasgow back in 2023.

Enjoying content creation, Giovanni decided to create his own page: Supper and a Can. Inspired by the style of YouTube creators, Amelia Dimoldenberg‘s ‘Chicken Shop Date’ and ‘First We Feast’s Hot Ones’, Supper and a Can follows a similar talk show format. Until recently guests met presenter, Giovanni, at Val D’oro chip shop, to share a chippy as they tell stories from their lives and careers: “I wanted to create something that people my age could watch, laugh and relate to,” Giovanni notes.

Many Scottish creatives have been guests, including comedian Karen Dunbar from Chewin’

@supperandacan

the Fat, TikToker Caz Milligan and most recently, Scottish streamer, MarleyThirteen.

Giovanni aims to use Supper and a Can as a platform for Scottish voices to highlight the talent and creativity the country is home to: “I hate when people say there's nothing here, that's not true. There are so many people working really hard to build something.”

Recently, Giovanni cut ties with Val D’Oro, opting to no longer film Supper and a Can at the premise after they hosted a press conference for the right-wing political party, Reform UK. He embraces the change and is excited for Supper and a Can’s future in a new location.

The Southside Scrannerz: Carmen & Robbie @the_southside_scrannerz

O

@thesouthsidescrannerz

n a hot summer’s day six years ago, couple Carmen and Robbie were enjoying a few drinks in the beer garden of The Church on The Hill, when they decided to create The Southside Scrannerz page.

The pair aimed to support small local businesses through the page by sharing their favourite food spots in the Southside. The first locations were Toro Coffee and Caesars pizza – when it was located in McNeill’s.

Southside Scrannerz allows Carmen and Robbie to spend quality time together amidst their busy work schedules. They both still work full-time jobs in marketing and residential care, so the page is a passion project they enjoy in

their spare time: “We like to post things that make us happy – a beer in a good boozer, a New York style bagel or a hidden authentic Italian shop,” they explain.

Carmen and Robbie’s Southside Scrannerz page has proven successful on both Instagram and TikTok but the couple aren’t concerned about the numbers. They love the online community, the people they’ve met and are deeply grateful for the amazing opportunities they’ve had: “Times can be tough at the minute, we hope this food page might bring a bit of happiness to some people, whether that’s getting inspiration for a nice walk or a good sando” (sandwich).

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GOVANHILL IS A HOME, NOT A HEADLINE

From tabloid sensationalism to TikTok citizen journalism, how do narratives about a place get shaped and who gets to shape them? Devon McCole explores digital reporting on one of Glasgow’s most misunderstood neighbourhoods.

By Devon McCole Photo by John Bowden

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ovanhill: passing-through place, gentrified, community-oriented, rubbishstrewn, underfunded, home. Depending on who you ask – or which corners of the internet you’re in – you’ll get wildly different views of the place.

In 2020, Greater Govanhill magazine was launched with the understanding that while Govanhill had its problems, they were often overreported and sensationalised – with little in the way of proposed solutions. At the time, reporting of the neighbourhood was overwhelmingly negative, and frequently focused on crime and related issues, which overshadowed the area’s strong sense of community and amplified public fears. The ambition was to turn the tide on the way the neighbourhood was being portrayed online and in the media.

BUT WHY IS THIS THE CASE?

Govanhill has long been an area where new arrivals have settled; the Jewish community escaping persecution from Europe, Irish from Donegal and South Asian people from the Indian subcontinent. Over the years, Govanhill’s newcomers have often become scapegoats for wider socio-economic challenges.

The Irish immigrants who settled in Govanhill were often met with hostility, blamed for overcrowding and poor conditions, and accused of diluting the Scottish identity because of their rural background and religious differences.

A news report from The Glasgow Courier published in 1830 in defence of the Irish that settled in the city at the time highlighted that negativity against newcomers has deep roots: ‘...Let us hear no more complaints about the influx of Irish having a bad effect on Scotland unless it is to do something about tackling the problems which caused the emigration.’

When South Asian communities began settling in Govanhill in the 1950s and 60s, they too were portrayed as a threat to British culture – a narrative that lingers in political discourse today.

There are, of course, many legitimate issues facing Govanhill – including poor housing, littered streets and rodent problems. But when these concerns are raised, especially in unmoderated online spaces, the discourse can quickly slide into xenophobia and outright racism, blaming newly arrived residents for problems common to disadvantaged neighbourhoods across the city. In fact this is a tactic often used by the far-right to gain support – simplifying the narrative to suit their aims.

The reality is more complicated. These issues are caused by a web of interrelated structural factors. The streets aren't littered simply because of cultural differences. And if language barriers are part of the problem, shouldn’t we be working to bridge those gaps?

When the EU expanded in the mid 2000s, several Eastern European countries joined, giving citizens the right to live and work in the UK. Many settled in Govanhill – including Roma communities fleeing institutionalised oppression. And yet, even here, they’ve faced discrimination, often blamed for systemic issues.

In March 2019, as part of community consultations within Thriving Places, the Govanhill Community Development Trust, held community conversations around media representations of Govanhill, which was attended by residents from different backgrounds with interpreters at each table.

Marzanna Antoniak, who worked as a community connector for Govanhill at the time, recalls showing the group the first two pages of ‘Govanhill’ search results on Google: “The vast majority of it was utterly negative. Now I think it’s changed. But when I showed those screenshots to people at the sessions, for some ethnic minorities, it was a shock. One Romanian man said ‘That’s not true! How dare they say that about my neighbourhood!’”

Govanhill has also become a stage for those seeking online notoriety. One now-infamous account gained attention by filming himself walking through the neighbourhood during lockdown, “braving” the alleged dangers of gangs and grooming.

GOVANHILL IN THE NEWS: REPORTS VS. REALITY

Negativity bias still dominates legacy media. The old, slightly gruesome adage – if it bleeds, it leads – remains true in many traditional newsrooms. But crime reporting, often driven by the pressure to be first and to game online algorithms for ad revenue, frequently ignores the deeper social and economic conditions proven to drive crime, which can include: disaffected youth, lack of opportunities, and underfunded recreational or community spaces.

Last year, we did some research into how Greater Govanhill’s work had affected media perceptions of the area from 2020 to 2024. We analysed over 1,700 headlines across 11 publications. From 2015–2019 – pre-Greater Govanhill – just 30 percent of headline words were classed as positive.

THE OLD, SLIGHTLY GRUESOME ADAGE – IF IT BLEEDS, IT LEADS – REMAINS TRUE IN MANY TRADITIONAL NEWSROOMS

Most frequently occurring words included ‘police’, ‘attack’ and ‘arrested’. From 2020–2024, after the magazine’s launch, that number rose to 49 percent. More common words now include ‘community’, ‘multicultural’, and ‘project’ , but crime reporting still remains popular today.

THE G41 OBSERVER: GOVANHILL ON TIKTOK

If you are on Scottish TikTok, you’ve likely come across the Observer Glasgow G41 account. Arif Iqbal started it after a personal run-in with the police: “I made this page as I was stopped and searched by Police Scotland in Govanhill on my way to work. They assumed I was a drug dealer. The police officers were from another area. I complained… I didn’t like the attitude of the police. So that’s why I made a TikTok to show the real life of Govanhill.”

Arif’s content has since become a staple of hyper-local citizen reporting on TikTok, garnering a following of 45.7k.

Through a mixture of videos, from food recommendations to protests, as well as job opportunities in Glasgow and updates on local incidents, the G41 Observer offers a lens into the area that he believes the mainstream media rarely captures.

“I post things that Govanhill people see but others don't – it's a community. There is a judgement toward this community but I cover the gaps. The Glasgow Times and Glasgow Live follow me for news.”

Although he wants to challenge misconceptions about the area, his coverage is still rooted in everyday realism, warts and all. He spoke about a major incident he covered – the stabbing of a 13 year old boy leaving a mosque near Queen’s Park last year: “I have gained trust with each generation, such as mums. When the stabbing happened, I was there, sharing the news.” While much of the mainstream media focused on the incident, Arif was also documenting how the community came together and the real concerns they had.

Still, his reporting attracts negativity even when that’s not the intent: “If I post about Govanhill, things like Nicola Sturgeon, trafficking and grooming gangs are raised. I also get comments like ‘deport’ and ‘dump’ a lot.”

The impact of Arif’s videos depends heavily on how they are framed and understood. Local news outlets use Arif’s content, sometimes without clear context. A video showing blue lights and police tape or a firetruck outside of a burning local business might rack up thousands of views and inform residents but unless balanced with other narratives, it can increase fear and eclipse the everyday normality and joy that is also present in Govanhill.

A BALANCING ACT

Negative reporting on Govanhill doesn’t just focus on crime. In recent years Govanhill has become known in association with another word too: gentrification. And this too comes with its share of online discourse. This can be light hearted such as comedian Zara Gladman’s viral video in which she selects ‘Govanhill hospitality dramas’ as her Mastermind specialist subject or Paul Black’s send up of middle class families ice skating in Queen’s Park – ‘on their ain ice skates’. However, it can also evoke strong feelings. Last year, an online article exploring how the (now closed) two.eight.seven bakery became ‘so polarising’, stirred up a huge digital debate.

On Facebook groups, X accounts and in Instagram comments, this battle for the Govanhill narrative continues.

Over the page, you’ll read about the efforts by local Facebook group admins to curate the stories that are told.

Here at Greater Govanhill, we aim to present a solutionsfocused approach to local issues, embracing nuance and encouraging dialogue but there are always more stories to be told and as we firmly believe, who gets to tell the story and how they tell it, matters.

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What it’s really like to be a Govanhill Facebook group admin

Inside the community groups rewriting the narrative about Govanhill Private group • 548 members

By Samar Jamal • Photo by Alexander Hoyles

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Another community admin is Fatima Uygun, a unning an online community group in name you might be more familiar with. A quick Govanhill isn’t just about sharing bin Google surfaces interviews with the BBC dating collection times or promoting coffee back to the 2001 occupation of Govanhill Baths, an shops; for some, it’s also about challenging appearance on MasterChef and her current role negative misconceptions of a neighbourhood as manager of the Baths Trust. But she also runs I which often gets a bad rap online.

Love Govanhill and I Love Pollokshields Facebook For the admins behind these groups, groups which have 13,000 followers combined. moderation isn’t just about rules – it’s about Some of the content overlaps with Govanhill Go! values, perception and surviving the strange but what doesn’t often reveals something more visibility that comes with becoming ‘locally famous’ personal: “It’s almost like you’re a curator of the without ever meaning to. content,” Marian says.

"I've had quite a lot “It’s a kind of reflection of bad experiences – of my personality a people shouting at me little bit.” in the street. I’ve been “It felt like the narrative had Govanhill Go! was doxxed, reported to the tilted too far. All anyone ever first set up in 2014 by police, sent threatening her neighbour – one messages. Someone talked about was the negative of the first residents even photoshopped side of Govanhill.” of the Govanhill something to make it Enhanced Enforcement look like I was saying Area (which allows the things I wasn’t.” council to take action Marian McSeveney against rogue landlords and even compulsory is the admin behind Govanhill Go! – an online purchase properties) – to help residents voice account that spans Facebook, X, Instagram and their grievances about the flats. Marian wanted to BlueSky, with over 10,000 followers combined. move away from the usual content: “It felt like the She runs it throughout the day around her real full narrative had tilted too far. All anyone ever talked time job: "In the morning, when I come home at about was the negative side of Govanhill.” night, while I’m watching TV, before I go to bed.”

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2 comments

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84 comments

Content on Govanhill Go! is screened by Marian to check it follows her rules before she accepts a post. Much of what’s shared is related to local community-run events people might not know about, opportunities or updates from local groups, from Big Noise to Glasgow Zine Library.

Similarly, on I Love Govanhill, you’ll find an ample number of positive posts. While on I Love Pollokshields, it’s similar but with more bartering, mutual aid and activism.

Marian puts this down to Fatima’s involvement in activism – her personality shining through.

Fatima explains it’s also due to the difference in the areas: “I think because Govanhill is so congested, you can literally get what you want there in shops and people see each other so often in the streets.

Whereas in Pollokshields, it took me like six months to work out who was in my street.”

While the groups are there for sharing information, they aren’t “interested in being a neighbourhood watch,” or “a place to whine,” Fatima says. She runs a tight ship to ensure that: “No pictures of dog poo. No pictures captioned ‘look what my neighbours have done’...Anything to do with crime, we tell people to go to the police.”

Marian emphasises that residents of Govanhill are already acutely aware of the area’s issues – things like bins and crime don’t need to be highlighted because “they live it.”

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133 comments

What’s more, online discussions about these problems rarely remain constructive for long and she notes they require a nuanced discussion that can be tricky on social media: “Take the bins issue,” she says. “Some people will have racist views about it. Others think it’s political – about funding and Thatcherism. Some people blame the council’s communication. Some think people genuinely don’t know the rules. There are so many layers to that conversation.”

This doesn’t mean either of them are ignoring the problems in their neighbourhood but they direct this towards council meetings and their elected representatives. Marian notes that in the past, housing associations held community conversations which felt impactful.

Marian is clear about the boundaries of her role: “If you don’t like the content, you don’t have to join the group,” she says. “It’s just me, sitting in my bedroom, on my phone, managing this thing.”

Still, people often treat the group like a public service: “That adds a strange layer of responsibility,” she says. “People expect fairness, balance, transparency – all the stuff you’d expect from an institution and I do try. But at the end of the day, I’m one person.” Not everything she shares fits the usual criteria she admits: “I’ve got a privilege because I spend my time doing this.”

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Fatima and Marian have a zerotolerance policy when it comes to derogatory behaviour; they’ve blocked hundreds of people.

Despite agreeing to the group’s rules beforehand, they still get a stream of people who submit content that’s not local, or worse, make racist or offensive remarks. The remedy? Block them. Fatima and Marian have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to to this; they’ve blocked hundreds of people. That’s because they’ve witnessed the other side of it – lack of admin moderation and groups becoming filled with derogatory content or misinformation.

Sometimes, people will try to apologise for their behaviour. “I do get messages from people saying, ‘Sorry, Fatima, I was just feeling shit that day and I’m really angry or whatever,’” she says. “It’s just like – I’m not your mother, what are you telling me for? Just behave.”

Marian’s experience echoes a similar weariness with how people perceive her authority. “I do feel like a lot of people think I’m just this sort of dictator figure,” she says. Messages will flood in, mostly from men, asking, “why did you block me?” Her response is blunt: “I made it clear why I did. But also, it doesn’t really matter. It’s my group. You don’t have a right to reply. If I don’t like it, you’re off.”

While Facebook is the most active account, she does use X but it’s different, as it’s “more public-facing”, a bit more like the “wild west.”

She’s considered stepping away from X in light of increased alt-right sentiments and poor regulation but since most of the people with “bad opinions of Govanhill are there, it would be like preaching to the converted” on BlueSky. Whereas she can challenge opinions on X. She admits you have to be more vigilant on X because of its reach, as well as public figures like Nicola Sturgeon following the account: “If Nicola Sturgeon retweets one of your posts, you’ll be up all night checking your mentions, hoping nothing’s being said about you that you don’t want out there.”

Marian notes that the biggest benefit of Govanhill Go! might actually be to people outside of Govanhill, without intending it: “I want people to think about Govanhill in the same way they might think about the West End. You could come here for dinner, walk through the park, have a wander up Victoria Road, get some ice cream. It’s a lovely place. There’s a lot of nice stuff happening.”

For all the power of online groups, Fatima is clear they’re not a substitute for the real thing: “I don’t think it will – or should – replace people meeting and working together in person,” she says. While it “plays a role, it’s limited. During Covid and Black Lives Matter, it was great for organising – you could say there’s a vigil and people would show up. But it’s not the same as being together.”

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SMILE YOU’RE ON CAMERA! On the safety and dangers of surveillance

By Dylan Beck Illustration by Jillian Mendoza Photo by Rob Reid

How many cameras?

With a total of 439–542 cameras (numbers vary in different reports), Glasgow has the largest public CCTV network in Scotland. Out of the 441 recorded in the Glasgow Open Data Map in 2023, 14 are in the Southside Central ward.

In fact, a tiny area of Govanhill – from Victoria Road to the west, Calder Street to the north, Garturk Street to the east and Dixon Avenue to the south – accounts for 1.6 percent of the city’s public CCTV network. There are a total of seven cameras here to be precise: one camera more than the whole ward of Maryhill. The entirety of Partick East/Kelvindale ward, meanwhile, boasts a total of one camera.

And while these figures are only a drop in the ocean – the vast majority of CCTV cameras in Britain are privately owned and the data on this isn’t widely available – the numbers point to a rather disturbing reality; while we all live in the age of surveillance, some of us are being watched more than others.

New technologies, old harms Our dear city, while hospitable to greenery, extends much less kindness to technology. Due to the all-too-familiar weather conditions, our CCTV cameras are prone to malfunction. In the absence of regular maintenance, anywhere between 8 – 25 percent of the city’s network are now considered faulty.

But while the local hardware is facing some challenges, the software behind it has progressed leaps and bounds with the advancements of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Live facial recognition – a technology whereby live video footage is compared to a predetermined database of faces in search for matches – is being considered by Police Scotland. Examples from South Wales and London, where this is already in place, serve as a cautionary tale of what this would mean.

In London, research from Essex University found the Metropolitan Police’s AI facial recognition bot to have only been correct on 19 percent of occasions: one of many misidentifications being a Black anti-knife crime community worker, Shaun Thompson, who was then wrongly flagged, detained and questioned by the Met. In South Wales, where the system produced over 2,800 false alerts, the Court of Appeal found South Wales Police’s use of facial recognition technology to have been in breach of privacy rights, data protection laws and equality laws.

The use of AI technology has implications for the privacy of everyone, yet some pay a higher cost, as such errors are not simply random but systemic. Rather than undoing it, technology reproduces existing injustice. Lower income neighbourhoods and especially those with a higher population of people of colour – like Govanhill – are more likely to be subjected to dense surveillance coverage.

At the same time, institutional racism in policing (which the police themselves admit to) shows that racialised people are overrepresented in police records to begin with. Facial recognition technology adds a whole other layer to this; a report by the National Physical Laboratory found the live facial recognition software used by the police to be less accurate for people of colour and Black women in particular. This is in line with previous research in the United States, where AI bots were shown to be particularly bad at recognising the faces of anyone who is not white.

It is perhaps then unsurprising that the technology exacerbating such harms also has harmful origins.

A recent local campaign, ‘Stop Israeli Tech Watching Glasgow’, uncovered that the surveillance software is supplied to Glasgow City Council, via a subcontractor, by an Israeli company. Their technology was developed by former members of a cyber-spy unit tasked with surveilling Palestinian people living under Israeli apartheid.

This software continues to be used in Palestine now, as Israel conducts its genocide in Gaza. [Ed: Human rights organisations, United Nations special committee and Amnesty International have stated that Israel’s actions could constitute genocide]. When it comes to where the public money is spent, health and education might prove a more worthwhile investment than a whole new CCTV system, let alone supporting a technology used in a genocide.

WHILE WE ALL LIVE IN THE AGE OF SURVEILLANCE, SOME OF US ARE BEING WATCHED MORE THAN OTHERS.

Security without surveillance?

An area being surveilled by cameras might provide a sense of safety – but it is evident that the technologies in question actively make many people’s lives more unsafe.

The College of Policing shows that the presence of CCTV cameras has not been shown to reduce violence, either.

For this, strategies addressing issues such as poverty and marginalisation are infinitely more important. Given the increase in shoplifting due to the cost of living crisis, it would be safe to assume that ensuring people have the essentials they need would help with this, too. There are no quick fixes but recognising that surveillance is not one either, seems like as good a place to start as any.

As for the more immediate sense of safety – the ways to build this are endless and often easily available.

These range from the abstract, like interrogating our preconceived notions of what safety or danger look like, to practical, such as learning about bystander intervention, deescalation and conflict resolution and self-defence. Community initiatives, such as Govanhill Food Not Bombs or Community Litter Pick. Spaces such as the Agnew Lane Community Garden, are good places to start. Ultimately, it is about coming together with our neighbours and building trust and a community where we all look out for each other, rather than watching one another through a doorbell camera.

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AI through our eyes three generations’ perspectives

AI might still be considered a fad by some but the reality is, much like the internet, AI is here to stay. It is already woven into the majority of everyday tech and is showing no signs of slowing down. With concerns around copyright and ownership, AI presents some real challenges alongside a number of opportunities. The real question is how can we regulate it to ensure it’s safe and fair to use?

David Doren spoke to people from different generations to hear their thoughts.

As told to David Doren

‘I worry about losing human touch in a machine-driven world’ My main frustration with AI is when I contact various companies like my energy, television and broadband providers over the phone or online and I expect to speak with a human being.

I get frustrated, annoyed and anxious when I get a response-based service. I also have a lack of trust in AI projects compared to humans who I’m sharing personal information with.

Being housebound and dealing with a machinegenerated question and answer algorithm gives me a feeling of helpless isolation as I am not speaking and interacting with a human being. AI is incapable of knowing if my mood is up or down.

Therefore, it can’t act accordingly to this with reassurance and words of support that I need and depend on.

I live in constant fear of the prospect that the majority, if not all, business will be online, and I’ll have no human contact at all with anyone.

This inevitably taps into my anxiety and it starts consuming my thoughts negatively, until I start over-thinking things and catastrophising over the possibilities of how events will pan out in ever increasing scenarios. Like what I would do if there’s a fault and my internet or phone line fails. It's also becoming more expensive to stay connected to the internet as costs keep increasing.

Mark, Generation X

(born between 1965-1980) 32

‘We need to strike a balance between innovation and protection’

‘With deepfakes, security, and AI misuse – I worry about my child’s future’

I work in the art industry, so AI is a widely-debated topic within my field.

The most prevalent and noticeable issue is the non-consensual appropriation of working and living artists’ work.

A lot of us are familiar with seeing scenes fed to us on social media that feature far-off lands and overtly cute animals (one AI image even fooled the art critic for The New York Times).

Artists will figure out a way to use it as a tool in their larger practice. There is a lot of experimenting and exploring from a creative’s perspective.

I have read that AI still has bias against women and other marginalised members of the community. There are many biases and challenges that affect the most vulnerable in our community that need addressing outside of AI. If we want an unbiased AI assistant, it needs to be fed unbiased materials – that’s on us.

I believe that AI is still an amazing tool and if it were regulated appropriately, would have remarkable benefits to society at large, without taking advantage of individuals.

AI has applications used in many of today’s apps.

You can create media which would have required a recording studio to produce but now it’s at your fingertips. It can raise issues though, on who has ownership over the content of AI-created works. There is also the seedier side of using it to create deep fake content of real people saying or doing all kinds of things.

AI is also like a cheat code, and can be intentionally or unintentionally manipulated to bypass certain security measures put in place by search engines that protect people from finding harmful information.

Advances in AI technology and quantum computing are accelerating problemsolving capabilities. It won’t be long before they solve complex mathematical equations, which would’ve taken many years by mathematicians and physicists to solve.

I have a young child, and I fear what the future holds for them. It’s always at the back of my mind, how soon it will be before they get access to things unsuitable for their age group? Or worse, things which could have a greater influence on them in later years.

Rebecca, Generation Y/Millenial (born between 1981-1996)

Andrew, Generation Z (born between 1997-2010)

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“Together we’re stronger” Breathing new life into our local communities with Queen’s Park Neighbourhoods

ueen’s Park Neighbourhoods (QPN) is a collaborative initiative uniting residents, community councils, local organisations and businesses with one shared goal: making the areas around Queen’s Park a better place to live.

We sat down with QPN members Richard Dye, part of Langside, Battlefield & Camphill Community Council and Jude Hunter, part of Shawlands & Strathbungo Community Council, to discuss what the initiative is working on and how you can get involved.

Over the past year, QPN has been developing a Local Place Plan (LPP) – a community-led blueprint focused on improving the physical environment of the area, from buildings and parks to streets and public spaces. Once finalised, this plan can be submitted to Glasgow City Council for inclusion in their City Development Plans.

It also means QPN can apply for funding to bring the vision to life beyond the Council’s remit: “Creating opportunities for people and neighbourhoods to work together,” says Jude.

Around Queen’s Park, several oncepublic buildings like the Glasshouse, the Bothy (behind the Queen’s Park Bowling Club) and Langside Halls are now underused: “We don’t have any community buildings at the moment,” says Richard. Adding that many local groups, including QPN, have to rent expensive private spaces just to meet.

Recently, QPN hosted a book fair in the Queen’s Park Glasshouse – aiming to show what’s possible if the community had more say in programming local spaces: “If we had the power to run events here regularly, this is exactly the kind of thing we could be doing,” Richard notes. The Glasshouse, fondly remembered by many locals from their childhoods, is a much-loved but now largely dormant space.

These spaces are staples of the Southside landscape but unfortunately remain unused for the majority, if not all, of the time. A core aim of the LPP is focused on opening these spaces back up to the public, even partially, to create more room for shared activity and connection.

By Mikael Phillips & Devon McCole

The LPP also highlights needs like public toilets and a desire for more ‘greening and growing’ to enhance the area: “We’ve got several priority projects,” explains Richard, including plans for cycle lanes, road use and pedestrian crossings.

The plan is nearly complete and QPN is keen to start putting it into action but they can’t do it alone. As Richard puts it: “Unless the community steps up and takes a bit more control over what matters to them, we’ll keep seeing a decline in some nonstatutory services. Which could mean continued deterioration of local spaces.”

Jude feels that the QPN Local Place Plan offers an opportunity to build a more vibrant community life but it’s “about identifying what we do next.

Anyone who wants to be part of that conversation is more than welcome.”

There’s real power in neighbourhoods coming together, Richards adds: “We’ve got incredible creativity and talent in the Southside – there’s a real buzz here. If people even put in an hour or two a month to something that’s important to them, we could make a huge difference.”

Jude highlights the area’s strong sense of place, with a distinct local identity: “We’ve got loads of local, independent, small ownermanaged businesses who all want the community to be part of their journey… We have a lot going for us in this area”.

But there could be even more, she says, encouraging people to stand behind QPN and say, ‘yes, we want that’ because the more support QPN has, the more they can push the Council to act.

You can attend local community council meetings to join the conversation and support positive change. You don’t need to formally join a council to get involved and meetings are open to the public, explains Richard: “If you just want to help on a project as a co-opted member, you can get involved that way.”

Check the QPN website to find out more about plans for cycle lanes, road use, pedestrian crossings as well as their calendar of events and ways to participate: qpn.org.uk.

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Heritage Exhibtion

Stories From Our Streets

Our latest exhibition – focused on local and living heritage – is now on upstairs in our Community Canvas space at Tramway.

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Photo by Rhiannon J Davies

ovanhill is full of stories – in its streets, shopfronts and everyday conversations. Its rich, multicultural heritage is everywhere, woven into the fabric of daily life. Our new exhibition celebrates local and living heritage, inviting us to pause, look closer and notice the narratives unfolding around us.

The exhibition features video portraits and an interactive map inviting visitors to share their own stories. But at its heart is One Day in Govanhill, a photographic project from the Greater Govanhill Photography Group. The idea was simple: capture a single, ordinary day from start to finish. But 6 October proved anything but ordinary.

Govanhill’s diversity revealed itself minute by minute, hour by hour – frame by frame.

Seventeen local photographers, each with one roll of film and just one hour, used analogue cameras to document fleeting, everyday moments. The result is an honest, powerful portrait of the neighbourhood – a day in the life that tells a bigger story.

Our picture desk team – Iain McLellan and Laura Vroomen – sat down to reflect on that day.

Laura: I was wondering how you prepared for the day?

Personally, having signed up for the 6–7am slot because I was keen to try some film photography in the dark, I actually went out to practice at 6am on the previous Sunday. With all these talented photographers in our midst, I was scared of messing up.

Iain: I didn’t prepare that much, other than to open up the office at around 8 am to meet snappers, hand over rolls of film and give any last-minute bits of advice needed. With the essential supply of coffee and pastries on hand, the Community Newsroom on Bowman Street was the hub of the operation.

Laura: I think you always had a very clear plan though, whereas I started the day with just a few vague ideas about locations and perhaps an early bus. So it came as a big surprise to me that I ended up taking several

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portraits. There are more people out and about at the crack of dawn than you’d expect.

Iain: My day revolved around being at the Al-Farooq community centre on Dixon Avenue. I was privileged to have been given access to photograph afternoon prayers. Everything fell into place around this. I also knew I wanted to do a portrait of my neighbour Mr Ahmad, as he is a sixty-plus year Govanhill resident. Apart from that, I just made it up as I went along.

What do you think the qualities of film brought to the project? For me, it meant a more considered way of looking – you have 36 frames per roll, unlike digital, where you can just rattle off images to your heart's content. You are left with tangible negatives which are then printed onto photo paper, they have a quality that no digital image can match.

Laura: Some of us were still getting to grips with our analogue cameras, yet that didn’t stop us from having a go. That brought an element of spontaneity to the project – perhaps paradoxically because, as you say, film requires a more considered approach. I was also intrigued by the graininess of the very sensitive B&W film that I’d not worked with before.

What was the highlight of the day for you? What stands out for me was the great feeling of camaraderie in the Newsroom. As each of the snappers popped in to collect or drop off their film and to share stories and occasionally free food given to them by the shopkeepers they photographed. The sense of adventure and shared purpose was palpable.

Iain: My highlight? Realising the astonishing range of talent of our participants, diverse but all pulling in one direction. Very much like our neighbourhood. It was a long day but one I wouldn't have missed.

Our heritage project was made possible with funding from the Glasgow City Heritage Trust with developing and scanning done by Gulabi film lab.

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How Local People Are Leading the Way in Community Sponsorship

By Sarah Wishart, Reset public engagement manager Illustrations by Reset UK and Cognitive Media

A

cross Glasgow, people are coming together to do something extraordinary: welcoming refugee families into their communities through a powerful grassroots approach called community sponsorship.

At the heart of this movement are people who’ve decided that sanctuary starts on their doorstep. Whether it’s a handful of friends, a faith community or a neighbourhood collective, these groups take the lead in supporting a refugee family to resettle and thrive in their new home.

From finding safe accommodation, navigating local services, registering with a GP to helping children settle into school, community sponsorship is about walking alongside a family and offering the support and solidarity that helps turn strangers into neighbours.

Behind the scenes, Reset Communities and Refugees is here to guide and support these groups every step of the way. As the official training and capacity building organisation for community sponsorship in the UK, Reset helps groups understand what’s involved, prepare their application and build confidence before a family even arrives. Once the welcome begins, that support continues with practical advice, problem-solving and a network of peers to draw on.

In Glasgow, like anywhere, this work doesn’t happen in isolation. Community sponsorship draws strength from other committed local organisations that are working to create a nurturing and welcoming environment. Groups often work closely with Refuweegee, who provide personalised welcome packs to arriving families, or the Scottish Refugee Council, whose expertise in integration and advocacy has shaped Scotland’s approach to refugee support for decades.

The impact of community sponsorship is far-reaching. For refugee families it offers a dignified and supportive route to safety with a built-in community from day one. For sponsors, it’s a transformative experience building new friendships, strengthening local bonds and putting empathy into action.

You don’t need to be an expert to get involved. Sponsorship groups come in all shapes and sizes and what they share is a belief that ordinary people can make a real difference.

Reset is here to provide the structure and support but it’s communities that lead the welcome.

The latest group to lead the welcome is Refugee Community Sponsorship Glasgow (@refugeesponsorship.gla) supported by their lead sponsor based in Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Refugee Sponsor Circle (@edinsponsorcircle). Both are running fundraisers at the moment – so look out for ways you can support them in any way you can.

Whether you’re in Govanhill or Govan and wondering if your community could get involved, the answer is yes. If you’re ready to form a group, would like to see how to join an existing one, you have a property to let to refugees or are just curious to learn more, Reset can help you take the next step and the Glasgow groups can offer you inspiration.

Find out more at www.resetuk.org or reach out to chat about how you could be part of a growing movement of welcoming refugees.

Together, we can make Glasgow a place where everyone feels at home.

What is community sponsorship?

Find out what Reset does to support community led welcomes in the UK

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What’s On

For more regular events and groups, or to share an event, visit: greatergovanhill.com/noticeboard

MAY

Stories From Our Streets

Where: Our Community Canvas space upstairs at Tramway, 25 Albert Drive Through 17 rolls of film this exhibition captures one autumn day in the neighbourhood, told through analogue photography, short films and community stories. The exhibition will run for the next couple of months, so there’s plenty of time to pop by.

More info: FREE drop-in during Tramway opening hours

Glasgow: 850 radical years

When: Thursday 8 May, 10:30-12:30pm Where: Cathedral Precinct, in front of Glasgow Cathedral Join Radical Glasgow Tours for a special, celebratory tour walking through 850 years of radical histories into the present-day struggles of the city of Glasgow.

More info: Sliding-scale donation tickets available via Eventbrite

Swip & Swap Party!

When: Sunday 11 May, 5-8pm Where: Community Culture & Art Association, 83 Bowman Street Opportunity to swap 10 of your pre-loved clothing items or accessories for fantastic new finds. You can drop off your items for token swaps on: Thursday 8 May, from 6-8pm, or Sunday 10 May, from 2:30-4:30pm before the main event.

More info: Ticketed from £7 (cash at the door) email blackzebradesign@gmail.com with the subject line: ‘Swip & Swap Party’ to secure your spot.

Fragrance Swap

When: Sunday 11 May, 12-4pm Where: Glasgow Zine Library, 32-34 Albert Road A fragrance swap at GZL for fragrance enthusiasts who have purchased samples, discovery sets and bottles of perfume that they would like to swap with others or give away.

More info: FREE but ticketed via Eventbrite

Marie Béland and Simon Laroche – RADIOMATION

When: 14-17 May, open 3-7pm except Friday 16 May (12pm-4pm) Where: Tramway, 25 Albert Drive RADIOMATON delves into themes of truth construction, media contamination, fake news and the body’s role in perceiving information through a participatory digital installation.

More info: FREE interactive drop-in designed for one participant at a time in a 5-minute session

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Nørstadt

When: Thursday 15 May, 7:30-10:30pm Where: The Rumshack, 657-659 Pollokshaws Road Band Nørstadt will be playing live with support from musician Michael Cassidy. Bring your friends along for a night of live performances.

More info: Ticketed from £10 via Eventbrite

My Dearest Friend Book Launch at Category Is Books

When: Friday 16 May, 7-8:30pm Where: Category Is Books, 34 Allison Street Join Red Lady Ego for a night of queer and sapphic poetry. Joined by readings from Maya Uppal, Sean Wai Keung and Isaac Harris.

More info: FREE, no booking required

Trans Makeup Afternoon

When: Sunday 18 May, 2-4:30pm Where: Cùrlach, 537 Victoria Road Cùrlach have offered use of the salon to LGBT Health and Wellbeing for an afternoon delivering a skillshare event on makeup. It’s a chance to get to know some products, have a chat about makeup artists to follow, or just have some fun trying something new – masc or femme!

More info: FREE but ticketed via Eventbrite, open to people of all genders or none

Guy Davis at The Glad Cafe

When: Sunday 18 May, from 8pm Where: The Glad Cafe, 1006a Pollokshaws Road Two-time, back-to-back Grammy nominee Guy Davis brings his blend of roots, blues, folk, rock, rap and spoken word to The Glad Cafe.

More info: 18+ ticketed from £20 via universe.com

South Asian Queer Book Group at Category Is Books

When: Sunday 18 May, 7-8:30pm Where: Category Is Books, 34 Allison Street New monthly book club focussing on the South Asian queer experience. The first read is Desi Queers: LGBTQ+ South Asians and Cultural Belonging in Britain by Churnjeet Mahn, Rohit K. Dasgupta and DJ Ritu.

More info: FREE, no booking required

Esther Rose at The Glad Cafe

When: Monday 19 May, from 7pm Where: The Glad Cafe, 1006a Pollokshaws Road New Orleans based artist Esther Rose brings her unique sound to Scotland.

More info: Ticketed from £15 via seetickets.com

Queer Solidarity Forever! at Category Is Books

When: Thursday 22 May, 7-8:30pm Where: Category Is Books, 34 Allison Street Join writer Jake Hall in conversation with artist and writer Rose Ruane; discussing the book Shoulder to Shoulder: A Queer History of Solidarity, Coalition and Chaos.

More info: FREE, no booking required

The Roma: A Travelling History Book Launch

When: Friday 23 May, 6-8pm Where: The Roma Cultural Centre, 43 Nithsdale Street, An evening with author Madeline Potter to celebrate the launch of her new book! The Roma is a lyrical display of travel writing, taking the reader on a personal journey through Romani history and identity in Europe today.

More info: FREE but ticketed via Eventbrite

Vocal or Version: Reggae Dance at The Rum Shack

When: Saturday 31 May, from 9pm Where: The Rum Shack, 657-659 Pollokshaws Road Glasgow’s only revival reggae night is back. All the best in vintage Jamaican music on original press vinyl.

More info: 18+, ticketed from £6 via Eventbrite

Govanhill Community Litter Pick

When: Saturday 31 May, 10:30-12:15pm Where: Meeting point: Govanhill Free Church, 26 Belleisle Street Join the monthly Govanhill Litter Pick, all equipment provided. Meeting at the church for a briefing before splitting into groups to litter pick around the Southside before regrouping back at the church at 12:15 for tea and lunch.

More info: Follow @govanhilllitterpick on Instagram for updates on events

JUNE & JULY World of Twist: Global Grooves at The Rum Shack

When: Saturday 7 June, from 9pm Where: The Rum Shack, 657 - 659 Pollokshaws Road Local vinyl selectors How Bizarre and Jamo Kidd take you on another magic carpet ride of global music.

More info: Email info@rumshackglasgow.com for details

Biodiversity Recording with Friends of Queen’s Park

When: Sunday 8 June & Sunday 22 June, 10am Where: Queen’s Park Pond Help track and document the local wildlife to understand and protect our local ecosystem.

Big Soul Events at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall

When: Sunday 8 June & Sunday 6 July, 1-5pm Where: Pollokshields Burgh Hall, 2025 Pollokshaws Road Big Soul Event is a Sunday entertainment events business created by Video DJ Billy Cullen, playing great Soul & Disco music locally.

More info: Ticketed at £10 through ticketsource.co.uk

Bungo in the Back Lanes 2025

When: 21 June, 1-5pm Where: Between Nithsdale Road and Thorncliffe Gardens This free family-friendly festival transforms the cobbled back lanes of Strathbungo into a vibrant marketplace featuring residents’ stalls, live music, food vendors, tea gardens, a Makers Market and a children’s garden.

More info: FREE, drop-in

For Peace! Exhibition

When: Open until Saturday 5 July, during Glasgow Women’s Library opening hours Where: Glasgow Women’s Library, 23 Landressy Street, G40 1BP An immersive exhibition exploring themes of peace, healing and activism. Looking at efforts to disarm the British state and remove US bases, international networks of solidarity and the impact of the colonial global weapons infrastructure. As well as current campaigns to demilitarise education, stopping arms trade and against the genocide of Palestinians.

More info: womenslibrary.org.uk

FESTIVALS Dance International Glasgow (DIG) 2025

When: Friday 9 May – Saturday 24 May Where: Tramway, 25 Albert Drive A festival of contemporary dance celebrating bold new work from local and international artists, with performances by Claire Cunningham, The Q Dance Company, Mele Broomes, Project X Dance and more. The programme includes family-friendly shows, experimental choreography and cultural showcases.

More info: tramway.org

Refugee Festival Scotland 2025 – Milestones

When: Friday 13 – Sunday 22 June Annual arts and culture festival which takes place in the lead up to World Refugee Day on 20 June. Each event helps shine a light on the cultural richness and diversity of our communities, through food and drink, music and poetry, art, dance and language.

More info: refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk

Cartha Southside Food & Drink Festival

When: Saturday 14 June, 12-8pm Where: Cartha Queen’s Park RFC, 92 Dumbreck Road, G41 4SN Get ready to sip, savour and socialise at the Cartha Southside Food & Drink Festival. This celebration of delicious food, refreshing drinks and live music promises a day full of flavour and fun for all.

More info: Tickets available via ticketsource.co.uk

Summer Nights on the Southside

When: Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 June Where: Queen’s Park Recreational Ground, Langside Rd A four-day music festival featuring headliners like Del Amitri, The Saw Doctors, Echo & The Bunnymen and Ocean Colour Scene.

More info: Ticketed from £59 via ticketmaster.co.uk

Glasgow Zine Fest

When: Saturday 5 July – Sunday 6 July Where: Tramway, The Hidden Gardens & online Glasgow Zine Fest is an annual celebration of zines, community art and heritage.

More info: The zine fair is FREE to attend. Some sliding scale tickets from £0-12. See glasgowzinelibrary.com for more details

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Y R R ET NE P O OR C

modern cyborg

By Rune Rubensson Flesh and blood body augmented for performance organic and artificial combined; Eyes engineered for precision and multi-tool limbs, connecting world-wide with collective intelligence, collective ignorance

By Lucy Gillie, South Seeds

IN THE SOUTHSIDE In my opinion, the best viewpoint in the Southside is at Cathkin Braes, and you can rent electric bikes on Saturdays between, 10-2pm, from the Southside Tool Library on Victoria Road to get up the hill no bother. Book the bikes on the tool library platform: southsidetoollibrary.org. It is less than a 40 minutes bike ride via the beautiful Lynn Park to the car park just off Cathkin Road, which is where most people start a walk around the Braes from. Alternatively, catch the number 5 bus from Victoria Road to Castlemilk and walk up the Braes towards the wind turbine.

Queen Mary’s seat offers the best view and is on the city limit with South Lanarkshire. Take a picnic, a flask and a book.

Operated by a brain filled with microplastics and sad thoughts Overstimulated by sensory input; collective shame and collective pain I’m sorry you hate what you created I’m sorry you hate I’m sorry I’m

IN GLASGOW

In attempts toward betterment or escape I leave my body behind, travelling through ethernet cables, hardware and iridescent cloud to virtual realities glittering in 32 bits of multicolour In here we can be anything we wanna be Manifesting as a dragonfly, I experience all its stages of metamorphosis and fly into a new world full of exploration and adventure Risk and challenge without fear of consequence Unfamiliar space with familiar comforts Disconnected and primed for sleep I come back to my Self again, a fallible, organic creature A walking petri dish I dream of augmented humanity without hierarchy, without pain Collective joy and collective change

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The Necropolis, a Victorian cemetery to the east of the city centre, offers amazing views. The 38 and 57 buses which run along Pollokshaws Road take you directly to the cathedral – the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland. The Necropolis is a short walk over the bridge behind. The site is huge. Pick a sunny day and make your own way around, meandering paths to discover the people who made Glasgow or gamble with the weather forecast and book a place on a tour in advance.

A WEE OVERNIGHT Stepping out into the fresh air of the Cairngorms at Aviemore feels a world away from Glasgow. Yet, easy to get to with direct buses from Buchanan bus station every hour and direct trains from Queen Street every other hour. Only two bike reservations are available per train, so don’t forget to book.

The hostel in Aviemore is less than £30 a night and a short walk from the station. There are loads of hotels, pubs and cafes in the town. The Rothiemurchus Estate is within 30 minutes walking distance of the hostel and has a great range of outdoor opportunities including tree walks and a sauna by a loch. There is also a hill to climb next to the town with great views which takes around two hours. There’s also loads of longer walks on the walking highlands website. For a last minute getaway Aviemore has everything.

By Marzanna Antoniak

How well do you know the spring traditions celebrated by people around the world?

1. When do Iranians and Kurds celebrate their New Year called Nowruz? a. On the 1 March b. On spring equinox (around 20 March) c. On Easter Sunday

3. What do Polish people do to welcome spring? a. Make a big bonfire b. Drown Marzanna, a puppet symbolising winter, in a local river c. Enjoy a picnic with family and friends

2. What are the colours of Mărțișor, the bracelet or brooch worn

by Romanians to celebrate the beginning of spring, starting on the 1 March? a. Different shades of green b. Blue, yellow and red c. White and red

4. What is the name of a spring festival celebrated by people from India who throw coloured powder at one another? a. Holi b. Diwali c. Eid

5. When do people in Argentina celebrate the 1st day of spring? a. 1 March b. 21 March c. 21 September 6. During the Songkran New Year festival on 13 April, the Thai people fight using: a. Flowers b. Water c. Freshly cut grass

Answers: 1b, 2c, 3b, 4a, 5c, 6b

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